Killerby
Early-attested site in the Parish of Cayton
Historical Forms
- Chilvertebi, Chiluertesbi 1086 DB
- Kilverdebi, Kilverdeby 1155–65 Whitby 1231 Ass
- Kiluerdby 13 BylE
- Kilvardeby 1247 Ch
- Kelwardeby 13 Percy
- Kilward(e)by, Kylward(e)by 1285 KI 1487 FF
- Kilwerbye 1572 FF
Etymology
The first element is without doubt identical with the pers. name Chiluert which is found in DB. It enters into Kilverstone (Nf), and a lost Kuluertestuna , Culuerdestuna (DB) in Colneis Hundred (Sf), one of the forms of Marishes 84supra , Killerby 245infra , Killerwick (PN La 205), and a lost Killerby in Lei (IPN 86). Björkman (NP 81, ZEN 54, Loanwords 25) supposes that it is a hybrid pers. name of which the themes are ON Ketill (frequently reduced in Scand dithematic names to Kil -) and the common OE theme -weard . The persistence of -verd forms, however, may occasion some doubt as to the correctness of Björkman's suggestion, and one may suggest that the name is from an OE compound name Cēolfriþ , Cēolferð , composed of the very common themes Cēol - and –friþ , or an ON name *Ketilferð composed of the themes Ketill - and –ferð .Later forms however show confusion with OE -weard . v. by .