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.

Rievaulx

Major Settlement in the Parish of Helmsley

Historical Forms

  • Rievalle, Ryevalle, Rieualle 1157 YCh 1202 FF
  • Riesuals 1161 P
  • Rivall(e), Ryvall(e) 1204 Ass 1226 FF 1299 YI
  • Rivallis 1228 Pat
  • Rievallis, Ryevallis 1252 Ch 1285 KI
  • Ryvaus 1301 LS 1324,1326 NRS 1491 Test
  • Rywaus 1301 LS c.1310 Bodla.i.58
  • Riweus, Ryfuowis 1375 Barbour'sBruce
  • Ryvaux 1390,1486,1497 Test

Etymology

'The Rye valley 'from the river-name Rye (v. 5supra ) and OFr  val-s . Cf. Jervaulx 250infra . The name is of AN origin and was applied to the monastery here in the first place.