According to Irish academic Paul Tempan, the townland of Lettery (, meaning wet hillsides) is on the south slope of Benlettery. Tempan notes an alternative name of Bindowglass or Bendouglas (, meaning peak of the black stream) was recorded as early as 1684 by Irish historian Ruaidhrí Ó Flaithbheartaigh. Ó Flaithbheartaigh chronicled about a pool of water on the summit which turns the hair white of anyone who washes in it.