Thieves Dikes
Early-attested site in the Parish of Hackness
Historical Forms
- Theovesdiches 1108–14,a.1133,1154–89 Whitby
- Theofvesdikes 1204 ChR 1314 NRS
- Theofesdikes 1308 Whitby 1314 NRS
- Thevisdykes 15 Whitby
Etymology
v. dic . The earthworks to which the name refers are still extant. The element OE þēof 'thief' enters into several OE names, e.g. to þeofa dene near Hallow (Wo), BCS 356. Cf. Thieves Gill 246infra .