Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Creuesford 1086 DB

• Kefresforth 1155–86 YChvii

• Keuerford, Keverford 12 Pont Hy3 BM

• Keueresforth Hy3 BM

• Keueresford 1334 BM

• Keuerisforth, Keverisforth Hy3 BM 1392 YDiii 1393 1394 ib

• Keuersforth 1349 YDiv

• Keresford 1381 Ch 1474 Brett

• Keresforth 1386 YDv 1460 Hall

• Keresforth hill 1594 FF

• Keresforth hall 1625 FF 1657 WillS

• Keresf(o)urth hill 1580 YAS 1583 FF

• Kersforthe 1433 Hall

• Kersford 1441 YDx 1446 Testii

• Keixforthe hill 1550 WillY

• Kexfurthill 1575 FF

• Kesforth(e) hill 1571 WillY 1777 EnclA

• Stanberge 1086 DB

• Stanford, Staford 1086 DB

Etymology

An OE  pers.n. Ceafor (derived from ceafor 'beetle' on the etymological parallel of OE  Wifel from wifel 'weevil', cf. Wilsill (Bishopside) pt. v infra ) has been suggested for Keresforth and other p.ns. including Keverstone Du 126 and Charingworth Gl (Chevringavrde 1086 DB). The DB pers.n. Chevre (TRW) has been adduced to illustrate its independent use, but, as Tengvik 360 shows, this is from OFr  chievre 'goat' and is therefore not relevant. Chaver - would be the normal form of OE  Ceafor , which we must have as the base of Charingworth, but if it is the pers.n. in Keresforth and Keverstone we have also to assume the replacement of ME  Ch - by ON K -, a common enough feature in Danelaw p.ns. like Dunkeswick pt iv, or Keswick pt. v, Kildwick pt. vi infra (cf. Phonol. § 35). Ekwall derives the two northern p.ns. from OE  Cēnfrið , with loss of -n - before the labial as in p.ns. like Stoborough Do 130 (Stanberge 1086 DB, Stoburgh 1315) or Stafford Do 159 (Stanford , Staford 1086 DB). This particular change does not appear to be a northern feature, though Stow Bridge Lane 169supra and Hubberholme (Buckden) pt. vi infra (from Hūnburg ) might provide parallels. 'Cenfrith's ford', v. ford , here the crossing of Dodworth Dike by the Barnsley-Stainbrough road. The p.n. became the surname of the Keresforth family from whom Keresforth Hall was named. The early occurrence of the form -forth is to be noted.