Shilstone
Early-attested site in the Parish of Drewsteignton
Historical Forms
- Selvestan 1086 DB 1238 Ass
- Silvestane 1242 Fees788
- Shilveston 1249 Ass
- Schilveston 1303 FA
- Shilston 1262 Ipm
Etymology
v. scylf , stan . This must refer to the famous cromlech near by called the Spinster's Rock. The first element in this name is OE scylf , 'shelf, ledge, floor, story,' referring to the flat stone lying on top. The probability is therefore that the compound scylfestan denoted a cromlech in OE, though at the five other places in the county where the p.n. occurs there are now no remains of such.