Shatterford
Early-attested site in the Parish of Upper Arley
Historical Forms
- Sciteresforda 996 Dugdvi.1444
- Sheteresford 1286 DuignanPNSt
Etymology
The same first element is found in rivulus qui dicitur Scitere or sciteres stream in So (BCS 476, 729), in scyteres flodan , sciteres clif in Ha and Berks respectively (BCS 1200, 932). The first-named stream lies behind Sherford in Wilton (So), 1353 Ch Shiteresford , and it is possible that a similar river-name lies behind Shitterton in Bere Regis (Do), DBScetre , later Scitereston . There can be no doubt that in each case we have OE scītere , a regularly formed agent-noun from scītan , 'cacare.' A ford across a tiny stream or the stream itself might clearly be so distinguished. sciteres clif probably owes its name to some incident or story now decently lost beyond recovery. That such an explanation is probable is shown by other evidence set forth in explanation of Skitterlyn (Nb) and Skitter Beck (L) in PN NbDu 128. Such a name is bound later to undergo corruption.