During the Saxon period Owstwick had its own thane, called Hoste (later corrupted to Owst). The "Domesday Book" lists the settlement name as "Hostewic" and "Ostewic", under the manors and lords of Kilnsea and Hilston, and in the Hundred of Holderness. At the Norman Conquest the lords of Holderness, and therefore Owstwick, were Earl Morcar and Murdoch of Hilston. Owstwick was a small settlement of about 5 households, with 45 villagers, 6 freemen, one priest and a church. There were 44 ploughlands and a meadow of 12 acres. In 1086 lordship was transferred to Drogo of la BeuvriËre, who also became Tenant-in-chief to King William I. "Domesday" records that in Edward the Confessor's time the combined manor of Hilston with parts of Owstwick was valued at fifty-five shillings.