Gate Helmsley
Major Settlement in the Parish of Gate Helmsley
Historical Forms
- Hamelsec 1086 DB
- Hemelsi 1145–53 Leon35
- Hemelesay H2 Leon3d
- Hemelseia 1199 RegAlbi.38
- Hemelsay, Hemelsey 1177 HCY 1198–1216 RegAlbii.54 1285 KI 1287 Ebor 1300 YI
- Hemilsay 1295 For
- Hamelesia c.1200 For
- Helmyslay 1418 YI
- Gatehemelsay 1438 Baildon
- Gaythamulsay 15 VCHii.139
- Gethemsley 1574 FF
- Gate-hemesley 1577 Saxton
Etymology
'Hemele's eg.' The OE personal name Hemele is also found in Hemsworth (YWR) (Hamelesuurde 1086 DB, Hemeleswrthe 1288 Ebor) and Hemlington 170infra . The prefixed element Gate - refers to the Roman road from York to Malton on which Gate Helmsley stands. ON gata is used instead of the more common OE stræt. OE eg is used in its broader sense here.
The modern form of the name is due in part to metathesis of Hemelsay to Helmyslay and in part to the analogy of Helmsley (Ryed) 71infra .