Over Silton

Over Silton is a village and civil parish in the county of North Yorkshire, England, about 6 miles (9.7 km) east of Northallerton and on the border of the North York Moors. The population taken at the 2011 Census was less than 100, and so detailed information is included in the civil parish of Nether Silton.^[2] The population was estimated to be 70 at the time of the 2011 census by North Yorkshire County Council. This had dropped to 60 by 2015.^[1]

Over Silton
Village street - Over Silton
Over Silton Location within North Yorkshire
Population	60 (2015 estimate)[1]
OS grid reference	SE451932
Unitary authority	North Yorkshire
Ceremonial county	North Yorkshire
Region	Yorkshire and the Humber
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Thirsk
Postcode district	YO7
Police	North Yorkshire
Fire	North Yorkshire
Ambulance	Yorkshire
UK Parliament	Thirsk and Malton
List of places UK England Yorkshire 54.3325°N 1.3072°W / 54.3325; -1.3072

History

The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Sileutune in the Allerton hundred. At the time of the Norman Invasion, Over Silton Manor was the possession of Arnketil, afterwards it became the possession of the Crown.^[3] The Crown granted the manor as a mense lordship first to the Mowbray family and then to the Malbiche of Kirby Knowle until the 13th century. In 1257, Geoffrey de Upsall was granted demense land. After this succession followed the Upsall descent until it was sold to the Askwith family who held it until the end of the 16th century. In the mid 17th century the manor was sold to Thomas, Lord Fauconberg of Newburgh. His descendant, Sir George Wombwell sold the manor to William Wainman in 1866.^[4][5]

The toponymy of the name could be either from the Old Norse name Scylfa or the Anglian word, Scelf meaning shelf, both combined with the Old English suffix tun for settlement. The Over distinguishes it as the higher village named Silton.^[6]

Folklore

To the north-west of the village is a cave known Hobbthrush Hall, formerly as Hobby Hole. Local legend has it that a Goblin lived here that churned the local farmers milk into cream at night.^[4][5]

Governance

The village is within the Thirsk and Malton UK Parliament constituency. From 1974 to 2023 it was part of the district of Hambleton, it is now administered by the unitary North Yorkshire Council.

Geography

The nearest settlements are Nether Silton 0.7 miles (1.1 km) to the south-east and Thimbleby 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to the north. It is located 1 mile (1.6 km) to the east of the A19 road.^[7]

Religion

St Mary's Church, Over Silton

There is a church in the village dedicated to St Mary situated 500 yards to the east of the village. The 12th-century building is grade II* listed, as are some of the tombstones and headstones.^[4][5][8]