Keyser's Lane (or Keyser's Hill, Kezer's Lane, Keizer Street, Keyzer-street) is a street name found in several former Viking towns in Ireland. [1]
The name generally applies to a street which runs from the medieval town centre down to the quays or harbour, and is believed to derive from Old Norse keisa, meaning "bend," perhaps a reference to the steep slope of the hill or the curve of the river. [2] Holinshed's Chronicles (1575) mentions that it is an ancient name of uncertain origin. Other sources give "lane to the quays" or "ship wharf" as its meaning; however, "quay" is a Celtic/French word, not Norse. [3] [4] [5]