Knapton
Major Settlement in the Parish of Wintringham
Historical Forms
- Cnapeton(a), Knapeton(a) 1086 DB 1191 P c.1200 For 1201 ChR 1345 Test
- Cnapton(a), Knapton(a) 1190–1217 Malton
- Knapton(a) in Herfordlith 1366 Malton
- Est Knapton(a), West Knapton(a) 1552 FF
- Senapeton' 1190 P
Etymology
The first element is OE cnapa 'child, youth, servant' and in this name as in Knapton (WRY, Nf) it probably has a significance similar to OE cild or cniht. An OScand cognate, ODan knabe , was used of a nobleman of lower rank, a dreng, and in that sense it appears to be found in the Danish place-name Knovsnap (DaSN(Sj) iii, 90). 'The servant's or servants' farm,' v. tun . It should of course be noted that OE Cnapa and OScand Knappi are recorded as pers. names, and either of these might enter into one or another of the different Knaptons. v. Hertfordlythe supra 13.