Skate Beck
Early-attested site in the Parish of Skelton
Historical Forms
- Skaytebec 1271 YI 1272 Cl
- Sketebec 1271 YI
- Skeytebek, Scaitebek 1272 Cl
Etymology
Lindkvist (135) is probably correct in deriving this name from ON skøyti , a mutated form of ON skaut . ON skøyti is only recorded with the meaning of 'shaft, missile' but it may also have had the meaning of skaut 'nook, bend' (cf. Rygh, NElv s.v. skaut -). Skate Beck is a stream with many twists and turns in its course. 'Twisted stream' v. bekkr . We probably have a parallel in Staitebec (sic), the name of a tributary of the Wharfe (1310 Ch).