Kirton
Major Settlement in the Parish of Kirton
Historical Forms
- Kirchetona t.Hy2 Ch 1316
- Kyrketona 12th Dane
- Kirketon 1192 France 1428 FA
- Circteton (sic) 1208 Cur
- Kirkton' 1196 P
- Kirkton in the Clay 1396 IpmR
- Kierketon' 1197 P 1199 ib
- Kyrketon by Grimeston 1229 Ch
- Kyrketon juxta Welhaghe 1325 Ass
- Kirkton al. Kirton 1581 FF
- Kirton in the Clay 1615 Wills
Etymology
This would seem to be a hybrid name, a compound of OScand kirkja and OE tun. The original name of the place appears in DB in the forms Schidrintune , Schitrintone , Schidrinctune , Schidrictune , which can hardly be explained in the absence of later material. It is perhaps worth noting that there is in the Laxton TA a field called Skitter Pool . It lies by a stream on the Kneesall boundary. Kirton is itself adjacent both to Laxton and to Kneesall, and it is difficult to avoid thinking that there may be some connection between these names, but it is impossible to establish this with any certainty.