All of Knapdale parish, before it was split into North and South in 1734, was known as KIL-VICO-CHARMAIG. Its mother church lies on an island now known as "Eilean Mor", which can be seen from the point of Knap, near Ballimore.

"Cille", or"Kil", or even "Keill": "cell", or holy place ,where the Celtic monks lived and worshipped in their beehive-shaped stone houses.

"Vico": term meaning 'generated by', 'son of', or 'belonging to'.

"Charmaig": a name also spelled "Cormac" or "Cormack." St. Charmaig was a Celtic Saint who died in 664 AD. He is buried on Eilean Mor.