Melsonby
Major Settlement in the Parish of Melsonby
Historical Forms
- Malsenebi 1086 DB
- Melsanebi 1154–69 Marrick227 1208 FF 13 Easby 1310 Ch
- Malsambi 1182 P
- Melsambi, Melsamby 1189–98 YD 1400 YI
- Melsanby 1198 Fount 1268 Abbr 1280 Ass
- Melsenbi 12 FountC 13 Easby
- Melsamebi 1202 FF
- Melsonbye 1540 RichWills
Etymology
The first element is probably a shortened form of the OIr pers. n. Maelsuithan , gen. Maelsuithain , which appears in OE as Mælsuþan , the name of a moneyer to Eadgar and Eadward II (Searle) and as Mæglsoþen , Mæglsowen in BCS 951. The name as it is in the p.n. was probably introduced by Norwegians from Ireland. ON Mylsan (LindBN) may be a short form of the same name. Cf. Revue Celtique , xliv. 49.