diff --git a/applications/utilities/postProcessing/graphics/PVReaders/PVblockMeshReader/vtkPVblockMesh/vtkPVblockMesh.C b/applications/utilities/postProcessing/graphics/PVReaders/PVblockMeshReader/vtkPVblockMesh/vtkPVblockMesh.C
index a9932ffcc9..dd40c8e359 100644
--- a/applications/utilities/postProcessing/graphics/PVReaders/PVblockMeshReader/vtkPVblockMesh/vtkPVblockMesh.C
+++ b/applications/utilities/postProcessing/graphics/PVReaders/PVblockMeshReader/vtkPVblockMesh/vtkPVblockMesh.C
@@ -72,12 +72,17 @@ void Foam::vtkPVblockMesh::updateInfoBlocks
     arrayRangeBlocks_.reset( arraySelection->GetNumberOfArrays() );
 
     const blockMesh& blkMesh = *meshPtr_;
+
     const int nBlocks = blkMesh.size();
     for (int blockI = 0; blockI < nBlocks; ++blockI)
     {
         const blockDescriptor& blockDef = blkMesh[blockI];
 
-        word partName = Foam::name(blockI);
+        // Display either blockI as a number or with its name
+        // (looked up from blockMeshDict)
+        OStringStream os;
+        blockDescriptor::write(os, blockI, blkMesh.meshDict());
+        word partName(os.str());
 
         // append the (optional) zone name
         if (!blockDef.zoneName().empty())
@@ -121,9 +126,10 @@ void Foam::vtkPVblockMesh::updateInfoEdges
     forAll(edges, edgeI)
     {
         OStringStream ostr;
-
-        ostr<< edges[edgeI].start() << ":" << edges[edgeI].end() << " - "
-            << edges[edgeI].type();
+        blockVertex::write(ostr, edges[edgeI].start(), blkMesh.meshDict());
+        ostr<< ":";
+        blockVertex::write(ostr, edges[edgeI].end(), blkMesh.meshDict());
+        ostr << " - " << edges[edgeI].type();
 
         // Add "beg:end - type" to GUI list
         arraySelection->AddArray(ostr.str().c_str());
@@ -352,7 +358,9 @@ void Foam::vtkPVblockMesh::updateFoamMesh()
             dictPath = dbPtr_().constant()/polyMesh::meshSubDir/dictName;
         }
 
-        IOdictionary meshDict
+        // Store dictionary since is used as database inside blockMesh class
+        // for names of vertices and blocks
+        IOdictionary* meshDictPtr = new IOdictionary
         (
             IOobject
             (
@@ -360,11 +368,12 @@ void Foam::vtkPVblockMesh::updateFoamMesh()
                 dbPtr_(),
                 IOobject::MUST_READ_IF_MODIFIED,
                 IOobject::NO_WRITE,
-                false
+                true
             )
         );
+        meshDictPtr->store();
 
-        meshPtr_ = new blockMesh(meshDict, meshRegion_);
+        meshPtr_ = new blockMesh(*meshDictPtr, meshRegion_);
     }
 
 
@@ -429,15 +438,22 @@ void Foam::vtkPVblockMesh::renderPointNumbers
 
     if (show && meshPtr_)
     {
-        const pointField& cornerPts = meshPtr_->vertices();
-        const scalar scaleFactor = meshPtr_->scaleFactor();
+        const blockMesh& blkMesh = *meshPtr_;
+        const pointField& cornerPts = blkMesh.vertices();
+        const scalar scaleFactor = blkMesh.scaleFactor();
 
         pointNumberTextActorsPtrs_.setSize(cornerPts.size());
         forAll(cornerPts, pointi)
         {
             vtkTextActor* txt = vtkTextActor::New();
 
-            txt->SetInput(Foam::name(pointi).c_str());
+            // Display either pointi as a number or with its name
+            // (looked up from blockMeshDict)
+            {
+                OStringStream os;
+                blockVertex::write(os, pointi, blkMesh.meshDict());
+                txt->SetInput(os.str().c_str());
+            }
 
             // Set text properties
             vtkTextProperty* tprop = txt->GetTextProperty();
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C
index 6512ce1e2b..d039b07ca9 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.C
@@ -630,6 +630,21 @@ const Foam::dictionary* Foam::dictionary::subDictPtr(const word& keyword) const
 }
 
 
+Foam::dictionary* Foam::dictionary::subDictPtr(const word& keyword)
+{
+    entry* entryPtr = lookupEntryPtr(keyword, false, true);
+
+    if (entryPtr)
+    {
+        return &entryPtr->dict();
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        return nullptr;
+    }
+}
+
+
 const Foam::dictionary& Foam::dictionary::subDict(const word& keyword) const
 {
     const entry* entryPtr = lookupEntryPtr(keyword, false, true);
diff --git a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H
index 14ed0db635..235a5aefc8 100644
--- a/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H
+++ b/src/OpenFOAM/db/dictionary/dictionary.H
@@ -379,6 +379,10 @@ public:
             //  otherwise return nullptr.
             const dictionary* subDictPtr(const word&) const;
 
+            //- Find and return a sub-dictionary pointer if present
+            //  otherwise return nullptr.
+            dictionary* subDictPtr(const word&);
+
             //- Find and return a sub-dictionary
             const dictionary& subDict(const word&) const;
 
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/Make/files b/src/mesh/blockMesh/Make/files
index f552dec8f9..a6564d64ab 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/Make/files
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/Make/files
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ blockMesh/blockMeshCheck.C
 blockMesh/blockMeshMerge.C
 blockMesh/blockMeshMergeFast.C
 
+blockMeshTools/blockMeshTools.C
+
 searchableCurve/searchableCurve.C
 
 LIB = $(FOAM_LIBBIN)/libblockMesh
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockDescriptor/blockDescriptor.C b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockDescriptor/blockDescriptor.C
index ddcb9466e0..7593b3763e 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockDescriptor/blockDescriptor.C
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockDescriptor/blockDescriptor.C
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ License
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 #include "blockDescriptor.H"
+#include "blockMeshTools.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * Private Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -128,90 +129,6 @@ void Foam::blockDescriptor::findCurvedFaces()
 }
 
 
-void Foam::blockDescriptor::read
-(
-    Istream& is,
-    label& val,
-    const dictionary& dict
-)
-{
-    token t(is);
-    if (t.isLabel())
-    {
-        val = t.labelToken();
-    }
-    else if (t.isWord())
-    {
-        const word& varName = t.wordToken();
-        const entry* ePtr = dict.lookupScopedEntryPtr
-        (
-            varName,
-            true,
-            true
-        );
-        if (ePtr)
-        {
-            // Read as label
-            val = Foam::readLabel(ePtr->stream());
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            FatalIOErrorInFunction(is)
-                << "Undefined variable "
-                << varName << ". Valid variables are " << dict
-                << exit(FatalIOError);
-        }
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        FatalIOErrorInFunction(is)
-            << "Illegal token " << t.info()
-            << " when trying to read label"
-            << exit(FatalIOError);
-    }
-
-    is.fatalCheck
-    (
-        "operator>>(Istream&, List<T>&) : reading entry"
-    );
-}
-
-
-Foam::label Foam::blockDescriptor::read
-(
-    Istream& is,
-    const dictionary& dict
-)
-{
-    label val;
-    read(is, val, dict);
-    return val;
-}
-
-
-void Foam::blockDescriptor::write
-(
-    Ostream& os,
-    const label val,
-    const dictionary& dict
-)
-{
-    forAllConstIter(dictionary, dict, iter)
-    {
-        if (iter().isStream())
-        {
-            label keyVal(Foam::readLabel(iter().stream()));
-            if (keyVal == val)
-            {
-                os << iter().keyword();
-                return;
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    os << val;
-}
-
-
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Constructors  * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 Foam::blockDescriptor::blockDescriptor
@@ -270,7 +187,7 @@ Foam::blockDescriptor::blockDescriptor
     blockShape_ = cellShape
     (
         model,
-        read<label>
+        blockMeshTools::read<label>
         (
             is,
             dict.subOrEmptyDict("namedVertices")
@@ -444,6 +361,25 @@ void Foam::blockDescriptor::correctFacePoints
 }
 
 
+void Foam::blockDescriptor::write
+(
+    Ostream& os,
+    const label val,
+    const dictionary& d
+)
+{
+    const dictionary* varDictPtr = d.subDictPtr("namedBlocks");
+    if (varDictPtr)
+    {
+        blockMeshTools::write(os, val, *varDictPtr);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        os << val;
+    }
+}
+
+
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Friend Operators * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 Foam::Ostream& Foam::operator<<(Ostream& os, const blockDescriptor& bd)
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockDescriptor/blockDescriptor.H b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockDescriptor/blockDescriptor.H
index 45c5e75561..e4d3b72cb9 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockDescriptor/blockDescriptor.H
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockDescriptor/blockDescriptor.H
@@ -238,22 +238,8 @@ public:
         //  to lie on the faces of the block
         void correctFacePoints(FixedList<pointField, 6>&) const;
 
-        //- In-place read with dictionary lookup
-        static void read(Istream&, label&, const dictionary&);
-
-        //- In-place read with dictionary lookup
-        template<class T>
-        static void read(Istream&, List<T>&, const dictionary&);
-
-        //- Return-read with dictionary lookup
-        static label read(Istream&, const dictionary&);
-
-        //- Return-read with dictionary lookup
-        template<class T>
-        static List<T> read(Istream& is, const dictionary&);
-
-        //- Write with dictionary lookup
-        static void write(Ostream&, const label, const dictionary&);
+        //- Write block index with dictionary lookup
+        static void write(Ostream&, const label blocki, const dictionary&);
 
 
     // IOstream Operators
@@ -270,10 +256,6 @@ public:
 
 #include "blockDescriptorI.H"
 
-#ifdef NoRepository
-    #include "blockDescriptorTemplates.C"
-#endif
-
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 #endif
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockEdges/blockEdge/blockEdge.C b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockEdges/blockEdge/blockEdge.C
index 0ef5fd0408..12f63a3057 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockEdges/blockEdge/blockEdge.C
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockEdges/blockEdge/blockEdge.C
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ License
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 #include "blockEdge.H"
-#include "blockDescriptor.H"
+#include "blockVertex.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ Foam::blockEdge::blockEdge
 )
 :
     points_(points),
-    start_(blockDescriptor::read(is, dict.subOrEmptyDict("namedVertices"))),
-    end_(blockDescriptor::read(is, dict.subOrEmptyDict("namedVertices")))
+    start_(blockVertex::read(is, dict)),
+    end_(blockVertex::read(is, dict))
 {}
 
 
@@ -146,20 +146,10 @@ Foam::blockEdge::position(const scalarList& lambdas) const
 
 void Foam::blockEdge::write(Ostream& os, const dictionary& d) const
 {
-    const dictionary* varDictPtr = d.subDictPtr("namedVertices");
-    if (varDictPtr)
-    {
-        const dictionary& varDict = *varDictPtr;
-
-        blockDescriptor::write(os, start_, varDict);
-        os << tab;
-        blockDescriptor::write(os, end_, varDict);
-        os << endl;
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        os << start_ << tab << end_ << endl;
-    }
+    blockVertex::write(os, start_, d);
+    os << tab;
+    blockVertex::write(os, end_, d);
+    os << endl;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockFaces/blockFace/blockFace.C b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockFaces/blockFace/blockFace.C
index 4ee92176c7..7f777b8a80 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockFaces/blockFace/blockFace.C
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockFaces/blockFace/blockFace.C
@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@ License
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 #include "blockFace.H"
-#include "blockDescriptor.H"
+#include "blockMeshTools.H"
+#include "blockVertex.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ Foam::blockFace::blockFace
 :
     vertices_
     (
-        blockDescriptor::read<label>
+        blockMeshTools::read<label>
         (
             is,
             dict.subOrEmptyDict("namedVertices")
@@ -104,28 +105,18 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::blockFace> Foam::blockFace::New
 
 void Foam::blockFace::write(Ostream& os, const dictionary& d) const
 {
-    const dictionary* varDictPtr = d.subDictPtr("namedVertices");
-    if (varDictPtr)
+    // Write size and start delimiter
+    os << vertices_.size() << token::BEGIN_LIST;
+
+    // Write contents
+    forAll(vertices_, i)
     {
-        const dictionary& varDict = *varDictPtr;
-
-        // Write size and start delimiter
-        os << vertices_.size() << token::BEGIN_LIST;
-
-        // Write contents
-        forAll(vertices_, i)
-        {
-            if (i > 0) os << token::SPACE;
-            blockDescriptor::write(os, vertices_[i], varDict);
-        }
-
-        // Write end delimiter
-        os << token::END_LIST;
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        os << vertices_ << endl;
+        if (i > 0) os << token::SPACE;
+        blockVertex::write(os, vertices_[i], d);
     }
+
+    // Write end delimiter
+    os << token::END_LIST;
 }
 
 
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMesh.C b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMesh.C
index 4a08adbfbe..10bb74f765 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMesh.C
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMesh.C
@@ -38,33 +38,34 @@ namespace Foam
 
 Foam::blockMesh::blockMesh(const IOdictionary& dict, const word& regionName)
 :
-    verboseOutput(dict.lookupOrDefault<Switch>("verbose", true)),
+    meshDict_(dict),
+    verboseOutput(meshDict_.lookupOrDefault<Switch>("verbose", true)),
     geometry_
     (
         IOobject
         (
             "geometry",                 // dummy name
-            dict.time().constant(),     // instance
+            meshDict_.time().constant(),     // instance
             "geometry",                 // local
-            dict.time(),                // registry
+            meshDict_.time(),                // registry
             IOobject::MUST_READ,
             IOobject::NO_WRITE
         ),
-        dict.found("geometry")
-      ? dict.subDict("geometry")
+        meshDict_.found("geometry")
+      ? meshDict_.subDict("geometry")
       : dictionary(),
         true
     ),
     scaleFactor_(1.0),
     blockVertices_
     (
-        dict.lookup("vertices"),
-        blockVertex::iNew(dict, geometry_)
+        meshDict_.lookup("vertices"),
+        blockVertex::iNew(meshDict_, geometry_)
     ),
     vertices_(Foam::vertices(blockVertices_)),
-    topologyPtr_(createTopology(dict, regionName))
+    topologyPtr_(createTopology(meshDict_, regionName))
 {
-    Switch fastMerge(dict.lookupOrDefault<Switch>("fastMerge", false));
+    Switch fastMerge(meshDict_.lookupOrDefault<Switch>("fastMerge", false));
 
     if (fastMerge)
     {
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMesh.H b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMesh.H
index 093972d12d..01f9bf6411 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMesh.H
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMesh.H
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ class blockMesh
 {
     // Private data
 
+        //- Reference to mesh dictionary
+        const IOdictionary& meshDict_;
+
         //- Switch for verbose output
         bool verboseOutput;
 
@@ -178,6 +181,12 @@ public:
 
         // Access
 
+            //- Access to input dictionary
+            const dictionary& meshDict() const
+            {
+                return meshDict_;
+            }
+
             //- Optional searchable geometry to project face-points to
             const searchableSurfaces& geometry() const
             {
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTopology.C b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTopology.C
index a4c9acead3..ff275c852e 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTopology.C
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTopology.C
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ License
 \*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
 
 #include "blockMesh.H"
+#include "blockMeshTools.H"
 #include "Time.H"
 #include "preservePatchTypes.H"
 #include "emptyPolyPatch.H"
@@ -165,7 +166,7 @@ void Foam::blockMesh::readPatches
             >> patchNames[nPatches];
 
         // Read patch faces
-        tmpBlocksPatches[nPatches] = blockDescriptor::read<face>
+        tmpBlocksPatches[nPatches] = blockMeshTools::read<face>
         (
             patchStream,
             varDict
@@ -300,7 +301,7 @@ void Foam::blockMesh::readBoundary
         patchDicts.set(patchi, new dictionary(patchInfo.dict()));
 
         // Read block faces
-        tmpBlocksPatches[patchi] = blockDescriptor::read<face>
+        tmpBlocksPatches[patchi] = blockMeshTools::read<face>
         (
             patchDicts[patchi].lookup("faces"),
             varDict
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTools/blockMeshTools.C b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTools/blockMeshTools.C
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..465998ce9d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTools/blockMeshTools.C
@@ -0,0 +1,136 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*\
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+    under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    OpenFOAM is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+    ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+    FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+    for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with OpenFOAM.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#include "blockMeshTools.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+void Foam::blockMeshTools::read
+(
+    Istream& is,
+    label& val,
+    const dictionary& dict
+)
+{
+    token t(is);
+    if (t.isLabel())
+    {
+        val = t.labelToken();
+    }
+    else if (t.isWord())
+    {
+        const word& varName = t.wordToken();
+        const entry* ePtr = dict.lookupScopedEntryPtr
+        (
+            varName,
+            true,
+            true
+        );
+        if (ePtr)
+        {
+            // Read as label
+            val = Foam::readLabel(ePtr->stream());
+        }
+        else
+        {
+            FatalIOErrorInFunction(is)
+                << "Undefined variable "
+                << varName << ". Valid variables are " << dict
+                << exit(FatalIOError);
+        }
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        FatalIOErrorInFunction(is)
+            << "Illegal token " << t.info()
+            << " when trying to read label"
+            << exit(FatalIOError);
+    }
+
+    is.fatalCheck
+    (
+        "operator>>(Istream&, List<T>&) : reading entry"
+    );
+}
+
+
+Foam::label Foam::blockMeshTools::read
+(
+    Istream& is,
+    const dictionary& dict
+)
+{
+    label val;
+    read(is, val, dict);
+    return val;
+}
+
+
+void Foam::blockMeshTools::write
+(
+    Ostream& os,
+    const label val,
+    const dictionary& dict
+)
+{
+    forAllConstIter(dictionary, dict, iter)
+    {
+        if (iter().isStream())
+        {
+            label keyVal(Foam::readLabel(iter().stream()));
+            if (keyVal == val)
+            {
+                os << iter().keyword();
+                return;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    os << val;
+}
+
+
+const Foam::keyType& Foam::blockMeshTools::findEntry
+(
+    const dictionary& dict,
+    const label val
+)
+{
+    forAllConstIter(dictionary, dict, iter)
+    {
+        if (iter().isStream())
+        {
+            label keyVal(Foam::readLabel(iter().stream()));
+            if (keyVal == val)
+            {
+                return iter().keyword();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    return keyType::null;
+}
+
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTools/blockMeshTools.H b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTools/blockMeshTools.H
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ee18555f90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTools/blockMeshTools.H
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------* \
+  =========                 |
+  \\      /  F ield         | OpenFOAM: The Open Source CFD Toolbox
+   \\    /   O peration     |
+    \\  /    A nd           | Copyright (C) 2016 OpenFOAM Foundation
+     \\/     M anipulation  |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
+License
+    This file is part of OpenFOAM.
+
+    OpenFOAM is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+    under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+    the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+    (at your option) any later version.
+
+    OpenFOAM is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+    ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+    FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+    for more details.
+
+    You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+    along with OpenFOAM.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+Namespace
+    Foam::blockMeshTools
+
+Description
+    Tools for parsing label(List) with dictionary lookup.
+
+SourceFiles
+    blockMeshTools.C
+    blockMeshToolsTemplates.C
+
+\*---------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
+
+#ifndef blockMeshTools_H
+#define blockMeshTools_H
+
+#include "dictionary.H"
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+namespace Foam
+{
+namespace blockMeshTools
+{
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+    //- In-place read with dictionary lookup
+    void read(Istream&, label&, const dictionary&);
+
+    //- In-place read with dictionary lookup
+    template<class T>
+    void read(Istream&, List<T>&, const dictionary&);
+
+    //- Return-read with dictionary lookup
+    label read(Istream&, const dictionary&);
+
+    //- Return-read with dictionary lookup
+    template<class T>
+    List<T> read(Istream& is, const dictionary&);
+
+    //- Write with dictionary lookup
+    void write(Ostream&, const label, const dictionary&);
+
+    //- Linear search for label entry
+    const keyType& findEntry(const dictionary&, const label);
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+} // End namespace blockMeshTools
+} // End namespace Foam
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#ifdef NoRepository
+    #include "blockMeshToolsTemplates.C"
+#endif
+
+// * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
+
+#endif
+
+// ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockDescriptor/blockDescriptorTemplates.C b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTools/blockMeshToolsTemplates.C
similarity index 97%
rename from src/mesh/blockMesh/blockDescriptor/blockDescriptorTemplates.C
rename to src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTools/blockMeshToolsTemplates.C
index aacd20d8bd..1df2dcc975 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockDescriptor/blockDescriptorTemplates.C
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockMeshTools/blockMeshToolsTemplates.C
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ License
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Member Functions  * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
 template<class T>
-void Foam::blockDescriptor::read
+void Foam::blockMeshTools::read
 (
     Istream& is,
     List<T>& L,
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ void Foam::blockDescriptor::read
 
 
 template<class T>
-Foam::List<T> Foam::blockDescriptor::read
+Foam::List<T> Foam::blockMeshTools::read
 (
     Istream& is,
     const dictionary& dict
@@ -111,4 +111,5 @@ Foam::List<T> Foam::blockDescriptor::read
     return L;
 }
 
+
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/blockVertex/blockVertex.C b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/blockVertex/blockVertex.C
index 6bdf9c2ade..fba46625b1 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/blockVertex/blockVertex.C
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/blockVertex/blockVertex.C
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ License
 
 #include "blockVertex.H"
 #include "pointVertex.H"
+#include "blockMeshTools.H"
 
 // * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Static Data Members * * * * * * * * * * * * * //
 
@@ -104,4 +105,34 @@ Foam::autoPtr<Foam::blockVertex> Foam::blockVertex::New
 }
 
 
+Foam::label Foam::blockVertex::read(Istream& is, const dictionary& dict)
+{
+    const dictionary* varDictPtr = dict.subDictPtr("namedVertices");
+    if (varDictPtr)
+    {
+        return blockMeshTools::read(is, *varDictPtr);
+    }
+    return readLabel(is);
+}
+
+
+void Foam::blockVertex::write
+(
+    Ostream& os,
+    const label val,
+    const dictionary& d
+)
+{
+    const dictionary* varDictPtr = d.subDictPtr("namedVertices");
+    if (varDictPtr)
+    {
+        blockMeshTools::write(os, val, *varDictPtr);
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        os << val;
+    }
+}
+
+
 // ************************************************************************* //
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/blockVertex/blockVertex.H b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/blockVertex/blockVertex.H
index 5c6c8006a1..90a5169f04 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/blockVertex/blockVertex.H
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/blockVertex/blockVertex.H
@@ -121,6 +121,12 @@ public:
     // Member Functions
 
         virtual operator point() const = 0;
+
+        //- Read vertex index with optional name lookup
+        static label read(Istream&, const dictionary&);
+
+        //- Write vertex index with optional name backsubstitution
+        static void write(Ostream&, const label, const dictionary&);
 };
 
 
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/namedVertex/namedVertex.C b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/namedVertex/namedVertex.C
index b4392fac26..5e9738602e 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/namedVertex/namedVertex.C
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/namedVertex/namedVertex.C
@@ -51,12 +51,9 @@ Foam::blockVertices::namedVertex::namedVertex
     name_(is),
     vertexPtr_(blockVertex::New(dict, index, geometry, is))
 {
-    //Info<< "Vertex " << name_ << " at " <<  vertexPtr_().operator point()
-    //    << " has index " << index << endl;
-
     dictionary& d = const_cast<dictionary&>(dict);
 
-    const dictionary* varDictPtr = d.subDictPtr("namedVertices");
+    dictionary* varDictPtr = d.subDictPtr("namedVertices");
     if (varDictPtr)
     {
         const_cast<dictionary&>(*varDictPtr).add(name_, index);
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/namedVertex/namedVertex.H b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/namedVertex/namedVertex.H
index 117107ad5f..9e30ed15de 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/namedVertex/namedVertex.H
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blockVertices/namedVertex/namedVertex.H
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ protected:
 public:
 
     //- Runtime type information
-    TypeName("named");
+    TypeName("name");
 
 
     // Constructors
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blocks/namedBlock/namedBlock.C b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blocks/namedBlock/namedBlock.C
index 9408e4fd3e..023638b75e 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blocks/namedBlock/namedBlock.C
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blocks/namedBlock/namedBlock.C
@@ -53,12 +53,8 @@ Foam::blocks::namedBlock::namedBlock
     word(is),
     block(dict, index, vertices, edges, faces, is)
 {
-    //Info<< "Block " << static_cast<word&>(*this)
-    //    << " has index " << index << endl;
-
     dictionary& d = const_cast<dictionary&>(dict);
-
-    const dictionary* varDictPtr = d.subDictPtr("namedBlocks");
+    dictionary* varDictPtr = d.subDictPtr("namedBlocks");
     if (varDictPtr)
     {
         const_cast<dictionary&>(*varDictPtr).add(*this, index);
diff --git a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blocks/namedBlock/namedBlock.H b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blocks/namedBlock/namedBlock.H
index 98968f60b0..992cbb0526 100644
--- a/src/mesh/blockMesh/blocks/namedBlock/namedBlock.H
+++ b/src/mesh/blockMesh/blocks/namedBlock/namedBlock.H
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class namedBlock
 public:
 
     //- Runtime type information
-    TypeName("named");
+    TypeName("name");
 
 
     // Constructors
diff --git a/tutorials/mesh/blockMesh/pipe/system/blockMeshDict b/tutorials/mesh/blockMesh/pipe/system/blockMeshDict
index 39f45b9230..6a58744cf7 100644
--- a/tutorials/mesh/blockMesh/pipe/system/blockMeshDict
+++ b/tutorials/mesh/blockMesh/pipe/system/blockMeshDict
@@ -47,40 +47,40 @@ geometry
 vertices
 (
     // Vertical cylinder
-    named v0 project (-1 -0.1 -1) (cylinder cylinder2)
-    named v1 project ( 1 -0.1 -1) (cylinder)
-    named v2 project ( 1  0.9 -1) (cylinder)
-    named v3 project (-1  0.9 -1) (cylinder cylinder2)
-    named v4 project (-1 -0.1  1) (cylinder cylinder2)
-    named v5 project ( 1 -0.1  1) (cylinder)
-    named v6 project ( 1  0.9  1) (cylinder)
-    named v7 project (-1  0.9  1) (cylinder cylinder2)
+    name v0 project (-1 -0.1 -1) (cylinder cylinder2)
+    name v1 project ( 1 -0.1 -1) (cylinder)
+    name v2 project ( 1  0.9 -1) (cylinder)
+    name v3 project (-1  0.9 -1) (cylinder cylinder2)
+    name v4 project (-1 -0.1  1) (cylinder cylinder2)
+    name v5 project ( 1 -0.1  1) (cylinder)
+    name v6 project ( 1  0.9  1) (cylinder)
+    name v7 project (-1  0.9  1) (cylinder cylinder2)
 
 
     // Horizontal cylinder
-    named v8 project (-4   0 -0.5) (cylinder2 inletPlane)
-    named v9 project (-4   1 -0.5) (cylinder2 inletPlane)
-    named v10 project (-4  0  0.5) (cylinder2 inletPlane)
-    named v11 project (-4  1  0.5) (cylinder2 inletPlane)
+    name v8  project (-4  0 -0.5) (cylinder2 inletPlane)
+    name v9  project (-4  1 -0.5) (cylinder2 inletPlane)
+    name v10 project (-4  0  0.5) (cylinder2 inletPlane)
+    name v11 project (-4  1  0.5) (cylinder2 inletPlane)
 
 
     // On top of vertical cylinder
-    named v12 project (-1 2 -1) (cylinder)
-    named v13 project ( 1 2 -1) (cylinder)
-    named v14 project ( 1 2  1) (cylinder)
-    named v15 project (-1 2  1) (cylinder)
+    name v12 project (-1 2 -1) (cylinder)
+    name v13 project ( 1 2 -1) (cylinder)
+    name v14 project ( 1 2  1) (cylinder)
+    name v15 project (-1 2  1) (cylinder)
 
     // Below vertical cylinder
-    named v16 project (-1 -1 -1) (cylinder)
-    named v17 project ( 1 -1 -1) (cylinder)
-    named v18 project ( 1 -1  1) (cylinder)
-    named v19 project (-1 -1  1) (cylinder)
+    name v16 project (-1 -1 -1) (cylinder)
+    name v17 project ( 1 -1 -1) (cylinder)
+    name v18 project ( 1 -1  1) (cylinder)
+    name v19 project (-1 -1  1) (cylinder)
 );
 
 blocks
 (
     hex (v0 v1 v2 v3 v4 v5 v6 v7) (8 8 8) simpleGrading (1 1 1)
-    named sideBlock hex (v0 v3 v9 v8 v4 v7 v11 v10) (8 20 8)
+    name sideBlock hex (v0 v3 v9 v8 v4 v7 v11 v10) (8 20 8)
         simpleGrading (1 1 1)
 
     hex ( v7 v6 v2 v3 v15 v14 v13 v12) (8 8 8) simpleGrading (1 1 1)