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.

Silsden

Major Settlement in the Parish of Kildwick

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.

Places in the same Parish

Early-attested site

Other OS name