Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Kirkestal(l), Kyrkestal(l) c.1150 Bodl4 1153 YChvii a.1153 Kirkst c.1160 YCh1556 1160–70 Bodl1 1167 YCh 1170–82 P 1172 YCh814 Ric1 1327 Ch 1194 P 1202–8 Ass 1207 OblR 1209 FF

• Kirkstal(l), Kyrkstal(l) 1155–62 YCh 1391 Test 1817 M

• Chirchestal 1162 P

• Chirkestall 1205 OblR

• Kierkestal 1208–1210 P

• Kyrstall, Kirstall 1460 Pat 1585 PRLds

• Kirstell 1586 WillY

• Crystall, Cristall 1428 FA 1436 Baild 1553 AOMB

• Christall, Chrystall 1556 WillY 1572 PRLds 1620 et freq

• Kyrkstall als. Kyrstall als. Christall 1584 FF

Etymology

'Church site', v. kirkja , stall , a p.n. parallel to Northkirkestall ii, 247 supra and Kirkstead L (from stede ). This is the site of the Cistercian Abbey founded by Henry de Lacy in 1147 at Barnoldswick and removed to this place in 1153. The name probably arose from the establishment of the abbey here for in the oldest document (a Bodleian charter) reference is made to 'monacho de Hedinleia' (that is, Headingley), not to Kirkstall as might have been expected if the name already existed (cf. Whit 62n). The metathesis in the later forms, Crystall , etc., is noteworthy.