The name 'Cave' probably derives from "the fast-flowing one", being a stream from the Old English 'caf' meaning quick or swift. The settlement is listed in the Domesday Book as "Cave", and in the Cave Hundred of the East Riding of Yorkshire. At the time of the survey there were 31 households, 30 villagers and a priest, 12 ploughlands, woodland and a church. In 1066 Gamal son of Osbert held the Lordship, this in 1086 transferred to Robert Malet, who was also Tenant-in-chief to William I. In 1823 South Cave was a town and civil parish in the Wapentake of Harthill, the Liberty of St Peter's, and in the division of Hunsley Beacon. Baines's History, Directory and Gazetteer of the County of York states that the South Cave's name probably derives from the "hollow" in which it sits. The parish, with South Cave, included the townships of Broomfleet, Faxfleet, and Osmandyke. A National School existed. A market was held every Monday in which a "great quantity" of corn was sold and sent to West Riding towns, including Leeds and Wakefield, by way of The Humber, with commodities such as coal, lime, and stone returning. Cave Castle, which then was "near this town", was the seat and principal residence of Henry Barnard. The house, described as "large and noble" and ornamented, had within a collection of pictures by the "best masters", including a portrait of George Washington, whose great grandfather lived at the house, possessed part of the estate, and emigrated to America in 1657 to settle in Westmoreland, Virginia. In the town Market Place was a merchant, two attorneys, an educational academy, a National school, a blacksmith, two boot & shoe makers, a bricklayer, four butchers, four farmers, three shopkeepers, an agent for Cave Castle, two tailors, one of whom was a draper, a further draper who was a grocer, a wheelwright, a weaver, a horse dealer, an auctioneer, a gardener, and a baker, and one trader who was a grocer, druggist, linen & woolen draper, and hardware dealer. Some of these professions and trades were repeated elsewhere in the town, particularly at West End and West Gate. Further town occupations included a cooper, a clock & watch maker, a common brewer, a tinner & brazier, gunsmith, and a saddler & collar maker. There were the landlords of The Bay Horse, The Bear Inn, The Fox & Coney, The Three Tuns, and The Windmill public houses. The Fox & Coney also held the post and excise office of the town Postmaster, the office sending and receiving letters every day. Residents included a Leed church minister, two gentlemen and a gentlewoman. Coaches between Hull and Thorne passed through The Fox & Coney daily. Two carriers operated between the town and Hull, and Howden. South Cave was served by South Cave railway station on the Hull and Barnsley Railway between 1885 and 1955.
Community
Village amenities include a doctor's surgery, dental practice, mobile optician, chemist, library, the Bear Inn and Fox & Coney Inn public houses, and shops including a Costcutter supermarket. The Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail, a long distance footpath passes to the east end of the village. The parish church of All Saints' was designated a Grade II* listed building in 1968 and is now recorded in the National Heritage List for England, maintained by Historic England. A Methodist, and a United Reformed church have both closed in recent years, with the Methodist Church joining with All Saints Church in September 2007. Cave Castle, built in 1804, is a house in Gothic Revival style on Church Hill, and a Grade II listed building. Today it operates as a hotel with gym facilities, and its accompanying grounds form a local golf club. The village's South Cave C of E Primary School, has a roll of over 440 pupils. In 2003 the Haltemprice and Howden area was placed as the 10th most affluent in the country in a Barclays Private Clients survey. South Cave was served by South Cave railway station on the Hull and Barnsley Railway between 1885 and 1955.
Sport
The village has its own football club, South Cave Sporting Club, created from two previous clubs, South Cave United AFC and South Cave Juniors Football Club. The club is affiliated to the East Riding County FA, and has teams of all ages in the East Riding County League which sits at level 14 of the English football league system, the Hull Boys Sunday League, the East Riding Girls Football League, the East Riding Women's League and the Hull & District Veterans League. In November 2010, the club achieved the FA Charter StandardCommunity Club Award and has also achieved Level 1 of the East Riding Club Accreditation Scheme. South Cave & Brantingham Cricket Club is based in the village.
