Skeffling
Major Settlement in the Parish of Skeffling
Historical Forms
- Skeftling(e), Sc(k)eftling(e), Sc(k)eftlyng(e) c.1150–76 YCh 1375 FF
- Skefzlinge 1294 YI
- Skefzlinge in Holdernes 1547 FF
- Esceftelinga 1150–76 YCh1399
- Sceflinges 1204 FF
- Sheftling 1154–60 YCh1825
- Sheftelyng 1301 ADi 1338 Ch
- Scaftling 1227 FF
- Skiftling 1228 Pat 1260 Rental
- Schiftling ib.
- Skiftlynges 1295 SR
- Skeftelyng 1273 Meaux 1303 KF
- Skeffeling(e) 1361 Meaux
- Skef(f)lyng 1486,1531 Test
- Scayflyng 1530 FF
Etymology
It is difficult to decide whether Skeffling is English or Scandinavian in origin. Ekwall (PN in -ing 97) suggests an ing formation from an OE *Sceftela , a diminutive of OE Sceaft found in Sceaftes hangran (BCS 629) and in an expanded form Sceaften in Shaftesbury (Do) (Ekwall, Studies 12), with ON sk in most of the spellings. Zachrisson (PN in -ing of Scand origin 118) takes the name to be Scandinavian and notes OScand Skapti , ODan and OSwed Skafte , the last being found only in place-names (Lundgren-Brate 229). We may note also the lost Swedish place-name Skeftlingquærn (ON på -inge 132). See further Introd.