Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Spiringate als. Spytle Grange, Spyringate, Spitell-graunge 1538,1540 AOMB

• Spitle Gra(u)nge 1540 MinAcct 1543 AOMB

• Campo de Spyringe 1540 MinAcct

• Spytylgate 1540 ib

• Spyryngate 1543 AOMB 1587 FF

• Spyryngate als. Spitle graunge 1543 AOMB

Etymology

Spital Gate, Spiringate als. Spytle Grange , Spyringate , Spitell-graunge 1538, 1540AOMB , Spitle Gra (u )nge 1540MinAcct , 1543AOMB , Campo de Spyringe 1540MinAcct , Spytylgate 1540 ib, Spyryngate 1543AOMB , 1587FF , Spyryngate als. Spitle graunge 1543AOMB . This was without doubt a gate in the northern wall of the town and near St John's Hospital (cf. Seynt Johns Brudgge 63 supra ); v. spitel , geat .The alternative name Spiringate is probably to be connected with OE  spyrian 'to interrogate, question', presumably used of a gate at which interrogations were made of those entering the town; Rapsgate and Kiftsgate (155, 261infra ) have somewhat similar connotations.