Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Colyn-Klachapele 1375 Kendii,64

• Colmekilnechappell 1411 ib

• le fontein Sti. Colu 1552 ChantKL

• St Coumes well 1777 NB

• S(eyn)t Coomes chauntrie 16 AOMB c.1550 ChantKL

• the Chauntrie of St. Combes 1552 ib

Etymology

St Columb's Chapel & Well, 'chapel of St. Columba' 1356 Pat, Colyn -Klachapele (sic) 1375 Kend ii, 64, Colmekilnechappell 1411 ib 331, le fontein Sti. Colu  1552 ChantKL 96, 'a well called St Coumes well ' 1777 NB 250; there was also a chantry in Casterton called S (eyn )t Coomes chauntrie 16AOMB , c. 1550 ChantKL 88, the Chauntrie of St . Combes 1552 ib. The chapel, well and chantry were dedicated to St Columba, the Irish monk who founded the monastery of Iona, and who is known in Irish sources as Columcille (cf. Bede v, 9, and the note on this ib 11, 286–7). Cf. also St Columba's Church in Warcop (ii, 86infra ); there was an early connexion of the lords of Warcop with Casterton (Kend ii, 328).