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.

Kilsby

Major Settlement in the Parish of Kilsby

Historical Forms

  • Kildesbig 1043 KCD916 17th
  • Chidesbi 1086 DB
  • Kylesbia c.1156 RegAntiquiss 1329 Ch
  • Chilesbei c.1225 RegAntiquiss
  • Kelysby 1426 ADiv
  • Kildesby al. Kylsby 1554 FF
  • Kildesby 1223 WellsR c.1225 RegAntiquiss 1459 ADiii
  • Childebia c.1225 RegAntiquiss
  • Kildeby, Kildebi 1220,1237 WellsR c.1225 RegAntiquiss 1230 FF
  • Keldesbi c.1225 RegAntiquiss

Etymology

This is a difficult name. One can only suggest that it means 'by of a man named Kild ,' Kild being a Scandinavianising of the rare and late OE  pers. name Cild . Cf. Childeswang in Welford (c. 1190Add ) and Chilson (O), c. 1200 Abingdon Cildestun .

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site