The name Appleton derives from the
Old English æppeltūn meaning '
apple orchard'. Le Street refers to its position on an old
Roman road. The village is mentioned in the
Domesday Book as "Appletun", part of the Maneshou
Hundred. At the time of the Norman Conquest it belonged to Cnut, son of Karli, but subsequently handed over to
William I. The
Thirsk and Malton railway line used to pass through the village. ==Governance==