English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Great Kelk

Major Settlement in the Parish of Foston

Historical Forms

  • Chelc, Chelche 1086 DB
  • Kelc, Kelk a.1080 Whitby 13th Ch 1283 QW 1293 Test 1506
  • Mekyl Kelc 1490 FF
  • Great Kelc 1520 FF
  • Mangna Kelck', Kelck' 1297 LS
  • Kelka, Kelca 1160–75 Bridl
  • Kelch(a) 1187–1207 YCh 1208 Cur
  • Kelke 1240 FF 1481 Test
  • Magna Kelke 13th Bridl 1280 Ass 1549 FF
  • Great Kelke 1598 FF
  • Kylk c.1265 KF
  • villa de Kelks, Kelks 1305 BevAct

Etymology

A word kelk is found also in Little Kelk infra , Kelfield infra 266, Kelfield (L). It is from an OE  *celc (West Saxon *cielc ), an i -mutated form of calc 'chalk.' This form may also occur in Bede's Kælcacæster . Mr Sheppard notes for us that though the soil here is gravel, there is a good deal of chalk in it. v. Addenda lix.

Places in the same Parish