Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Saningthuet, Saningthwait Hy2 Dugdv 1314 Fount

• Sanigwait c.1170–85 YCh1867

• Sanigthwayt l.12 Font

• Sanigtheuit 1185–1200 YChx

• Sannigthwait 1190–1220 YCh1876

• Sannyngtwhait 1465 Pat

• Senigwayte 13 Tockw

• Senitweyt, Senytweyt, Senythweit 1223,1225 Pat 1344 Baild

• Senyngtha(y)te 1456 Testii 1562 FF

• Synningthwait(h), Sinningthwait(h), Sinnyngthwait(h), Sinnyngthuait, Sinnyngthuayt 1160–70 Dugdv 1172 YCh200 1175–85 1181–5 Dugdv 13 Ch 1310 FF 1597

• Sinnyngtwayt 1276 RH

• Sinnyngthwate 1454 Testii

• Sinnigtuaith 12 YDx

• Synigthuait(h), Sinigthuait(h), Sinygthuait(h), Sinygth(w)ayt, Sinygthwet 1172–81 YCh52 1175–99 1253–1301 Ebor 1392 YDi

• Sinygthwyt 1250–81 Tockw

• Siningthwait, Syningthwait, Synyngthwait, Synyngthwayt(e) 1180–1201 YCh734 13 Heal62d 13 Ch 1310 FF 1219 YDvi 1229 Bodl76 c.1230 Ch 1255 KI 1285 Ebor 1286 Testiv 1495

• Synyngthayt 1236–47 YDx

• Synyngthwit 1699 PRAsk

• Synyngethwayt 1284 Baild

• Swinigthuayt 13 Heal55d

• Swynyngthwayte 1394 Testi

• Snythethweytt, Sinythweyt 1251 Ass

• Synithwayt 1301,1420 YI

• Synnithwaite 1623 FF

Etymology

The three main types of spelling, Sani (n )g -, Seni (n )g - and Sin (n )i (n )g -, make the solution of this p.n. difficult. Lindkvist 121 suggested an ON  pers.n. Syningr (a derivative of OEScand  Sune , OWScand  Sóni ), which occurs in Sinningsdale vi, 49 infra and which Hellquist (Svenska ortnamn på -inge 149) thought to be the base of the Swed  p.n. Syninge ; the latter, however, is of different origin (cf. Ståhle 499ff). In any case, whilst Syningr could account for the Sin (n )ing - form and probably also the Sening - form (cf. Feilitzen 55–6), it will not explain the many early spellings with Saning -.The spellings with Swinig -, etc. are due to confusion with Swinithwaite YN 256. The most probable origin is Sen (n )ing , from which the Saning - form could arise through AN influence (cf. Feilitzen 49); the somewhat later Sin (n )ing - would represent the raising of -e - to -i - before the dental (cf. Zachrisson, PN in *vis , *vask 54, Feilitzen 50, Phonol. § 13). The source of the el. Senning is not certain, but a possible parallel is to be found in the Norw  p.n. Senning (NG v, 385) and perhaps Norw  Senningtveit (NG viii, 73). The p.n. Senning may be connected with Swed  dial. sänn 'spring, watercourse' (as in the Norw  r.n. Senna , v. NElv 209), but an ON  *senningr 'dispute' (from ON  senna 'chatter, bicker, dispute') probably offers the best explanation at least of the YW p.n. 'Clearing in dispute' (v. þveit ) would correspond in sense to English p.ns. compounded with þrēap (cf. Threapland vi, 89infra ). It is possible that the present parish boundary of Walton and Bilton which almost detaches Walton Wood from its township (96–4648) is the outcome of such an ancient dispute.