The first element could be the Cumbric word represented today by Welsh eglwys 'church'.

[3][4] Local lore notes the presence of a large stone (near Eggleston Hall) with iron eyelets affixed.

The story is that eagles to be used in falconry, while in training, were tied to the stone with long leads.

Many of the cottages date from the 18th century and were built by the Society of Friends, who owned lead mines in the area.

Forty men were employed as miners until 1904 when the company closed the smelting mills.