Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Siglesden(e) 1086 DB 1214–33 YChvii 1290 BltComp 1312 Dugdvi

• Siglesdon, Syglesdon 1285 KI 1428 FA

• Syglesdeyn 1379 PT

• Sighelesden 1131–40,1155–87 YChvii 1303 KF 1328 Banco

• Sighlesden, Syghlesden 1371 Baild 1410 YDvi 1422 YI

• Sigg(e)lesdene 1266 MinAcct 1316 Vill

• Silesden(e), Sylesden(e) c.1140 Dugdvi 1156 YChvii 13 YDx 1257 YChvii 1323 Ass8

• Syllesden 1591 FF

• Selysden 1540 Dugdvi

• Sel(e)sden 1548,1581 FF

• Silsden 1614 FF 1641 Rates 1651 WillS

Etymology

'Sig(g)el's valley', v. denu . This name presents similar problems to those of Sigglesthorne YE 68 and Sileby L (Sigle (s )bi 1086 DB). The pers.n. Sig (g )el is not recorded but is probably a reduced form of OE  Sigewulf (in which case the medial -g (g )- is due to ON influence) or ON  Sigulfr , or it is an -el derivative of OE  Sigga . The valley is that running north from the main Aire valley to Silsden Moor.