Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Scardecroft(e), Skardecroft(e) 1160–75 YCh 1166,1167 P 1246 Kirkst 1252 Ch

• Skardecrof 1198 Cur

• Skardcroft 1338 FF

• Scarthecroft(e), Skarthecroft(e) 1174 YChiv 1246 Ass15d 1276 RH 1284 Baild l.13 Kirkst 1348 YDvi

• Schardecroft 1196 P

• Scharthecrofte Hy3 Kirkst

• Scartecroft 1246 Ass

• Scarecroft 1285 KI 1415 YI

• Scarcroft, Skarcroft 1491,1503 Ipm 1526 Testv

• Scharcroft 1379 PT

• Skerkrofte 1591 FF

Etymology

'Enclosure in the gap', from a Scandinavianised form of OE  sceard 'cleft, gap' (cf. ON  skarð 'gap, pass') and croft. The precise use of sceard is not clear; it could refer to a gap in the hills or a gap in a fence. Cf. Scarthingwell 71supra .