A medieval settlement is known at Shaftoe from the 13th century when 12 taxpayers were recorded. The site of the medieval vill is at settlement now called East Shaftoe. Here, the earthwork remains of house sites, croft boundaries and a sunken way can be seen, as well as ridge and furrow cultivation which defines the north side of the village. A well and the base of a cross were found here in the 1980s and may be associated with the medieval village.