Cold Kirby
Major Settlement in the Parish of Old Byland
Historical Forms
- Carebi 1086 DB
- Kerebi, Kereby 1170 Riev 1185 P 1343 YD
- Kerby 1143 BylD 1257 Ch 1269 Ebor 1393 Test
- Kareby, Kairebi 1209 FF
- Kyerby 1541 Dugdv.353
- Keirby 1581 FF
Etymology
Lundgren-Brate (158) presuppose an OSw Kærir . This name cannot well be represented here as there is no sign of the strong gen. inflexion. They quote from Nielsen (56) a pers. name Petrus Kæreson . This points to the possibility of a weak Kæri side by side with the strong Kærir (cf. Þori and Þorir ).This would satisfactorily explain the various forms assumed by the present name. v. by .