-by

-by, suffix

(bɪ)

forming

1. names of places (in the north of England), from by n.¹, as in Grimsby, Netherby, Kirkby, Ormesby, Rugby, Whitby.

2. descriptive personal appellations, playful or derisive, as idleby, idlesby (= idler, Mr. Idleness), lewdsby, litherby, rudesby, sneaksby, sureby, suresby, wigsby (wearer of a wig), etc., especially frequent in 17th c. Perhaps formed in imitation of the place-names, or rather of personal surnames derived from these, such as Crosby, Littleby, Slingsby, Spilsby, Thoresby, some of which readily lent themselves to paronomasia. Cf. also such appellations as Chatterbox, Butterfingers, Lazybones, Slyboots. Some have suggested identity with -boy.