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.

Kirkby

Early-attested site in the Parish of Pontefract

Historical Forms

  • Kirkebi, Kyrkebi, Kyrkeby c.1090,1122 Pont c.1137 SD 1440 MinAcct

Etymology

Kirkby (lost), Kirkebi , Kyrkebi , Kyrkeby c. 1090, 1122 Pont, c. 1137 SD, 1440MinAcct 507. 'Church farm', v. kirkju-býr. There was a church in Tanshelf at the time of the DB survey, but this name may refer to the site of the monastery (cf. Pontefract 75, South Kirkby 40supra ).