Raskelf
Major Settlement in the Parish of Easingwold
Historical Forms
- Raschel 1086 DB
- Raskel(l) 1169–93 YCh 1289 For 1316 KF 1409 YI 1613 NRSi
- Raskill 1577 Saxton
- Raskall 1613 NR
- Raskelf 1243 Fees 1282 YI
- Raschelf 1265 Ebor
- Raskelue 1292 For
Etymology
The first element is probably ra, 'roe.' The second is more difficult. Final -f is organic but was lost early in certain forms.The original form would be skelf which appears again in Hinderskelfe 40infra and in Ulleskelfe (YWR), Oleschel 1086 DB. It is either from ON skjálf , 'shelf, seat' (used here in the sense of OE scelf , 'shelving terrain of land') or a Scandinavianised form of that word. Raskelf is on a jutting ridge of land overlooking the river Kyle. v. ra , scylf .