north. dial. Also 7 kell. [a. ON. kelda (Sw. källa, Da. kilde).]
A well, fountain, spring. b. A deep, still, smooth part of a river.
Frequent in place names in Cumberland, Westmorland, and Yorkshire, e.g., Gunner-keld, How Keld, Sal(t)keld, Springkeld, Threlkeld. In Cartul. Prior. de Gyseburne (Surtees), I. 48, 49, 66, Hildekelde is given as Fons Sanctæ Hildæ.
1697. A. de la Pryme, Diary (Surtees), 142. This day I was at a place called Kell Well, near Aukburrow.
18[?]. T. D. Whitaker, Surv. Burton Chace (ed. 3), 35 (Craven Gloss.). From cald keld super Camb to the Top of Penigent.
1825. Brockett, Kelds, the still parts of a river which have an oily smoothness while the rest of the water is ruffled.
1828. Craven Dial., Keld, a well. Halikeld, a holy fountain. A keal keld, a cold well.
1855. Robinson, Whitby Gloss., s.v., ‘The keld head,’ the spring head.
1891. Atkinson, Last of Giant Killers, 203. A very remarkable spring or fountain or keld it was.
