Scackleton
Major Settlement in the Parish of Hovingham
Historical Forms
- Scachelden(e), Eschalchedene 1086 DB
- Skakilden 1138 Dugdv.350 1243 BylE 1408 YI
- Scakeldana 1142–50 YCh
- Skakelden(a) 1154–89 MaryH6d 1231 Ass
- Scakelden' 13 BylE 1244 Ass 1247 Ch 1328 Banco
- Schacheldene 1308 Ch
Etymology
v. denu 'valley.' The first element may be a Scandinavianised form of OE sc (e )acol though in what sense is not clear. The same element occurs in two OE field names in Berks, on sceaceling æcere (BCS 971) and on scæcyling æcer (BCS 1002), in Shacklecross (Db), Shakelcros 1235 Ch, Shackleford (Sr), Shakelford 1355 Pat, Shackleton (YWR), v. Goodall s.n., and a lost place in Shackleton (YWR) called Schakelhull 1219Ass . Shacklecross possibly indicates that OE sceacol (the only recorded meaning of which is 'shackle, fetter') could also mean 'pole to which shackles were attached,' like ON skǫkull and Swed skakel . If this is correct, Shackleford would be 'a ford indicated by a pole,' Shackleton would be 'a farm by a pole' (cf. such names as Stapleton, Rounton 217, 283infra ) and the lost Schakelhull 'a hill with a pole on top.' Similarly Scackleton would be 'a valley in which a pole, used as a landmark, was a prominent feature'; initial sk - in this case would be due to the substitution of ON sk - for OE sc -. v. Addenda xlv.