Stokesby
Major Settlement in the Parish of Stokesby with Herringby
Historical Forms
- Stoches, Stokesbei (2x), Stokesbey 1086 DB
- Stokebi 1152–8,1155,1175–1200 NLCh 1168to1198 P
- Stokesbi a.1164,1201 NLCh 1194,1195,1210(p) Ass 1254–75 Val
- Stokesby a.1164 NLCh 1210,1314 FF 1220 Cur 1257,1269,1286 Ass 1272 Ch 1275 RH 1306,1322,1328–37(p) Ipm 1316 FA 1319 Cl 1330 SR 1455,1470 Past 1468 Bodl 1535 VE
- Stochebi a.1175 NLCh
- Stokingebi 1209 FF
- Stokeby 1222 Bract 1250 Ass
- Stikisby Flech 1275 RH
- Stokysby 1444to1472 Past 1449 FF 1457 BM 1535 VE
- Stokesbye 1538 AD
- Stokingebi (1209 FF)
Etymology
The first el. is OE stoc, which is often found as a pl.n. in the plur. form Stokes . This may have been an earlier name to which was added ODan bȳ (v. DEPN s.n., Studies2 32). Ekwall emphasises that the early forms and the modern pronunciation “forbid derivation of the first element from OE stocc or OScand stokkr ”, and consequently also from the OScand byname Stok , Stokkr , although it was very common. Ekwall found that the most common use of OE stoc was as a term for outlying pastures, situated near water where there was good grazing and the cattle were kept during part of the year (Studies2 42). The form Stokingebi (1209 FF) is due to confusion with the common ME stocking 'piece of ground cleared of stumps', which is frequently met with in field- and minor names. The church is dedicated to St Andrew (v. Blomefield XI251). v. Sandred 1988: 17 f.