English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Snilesworth

Major Settlement in the Parish of Hawnby

Historical Forms

  • Snigleswath 1150–70 YCh 1243 BylE
  • Snygheleswath 1186–9 Dodsvii.107
  • Snileswath, Snyleswath 1230 FF 1247 Ch 1290 Dugdiv.285 1376 ib
  • Snailesworthe 1575 FF

Etymology

'Snigel's ford' v. vað . The first element is probably a byname based on ON  snigill , 'a snail.' Medial -g - was palatalised in such positions before the Scandinavian settlements took place in England.