Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Goshamstedewode 1272–5 WAM

• Gustamstedewode t.Ed1 WDB 1392 WAM

• Gusthamstedewode 1340 Ct

• Gosthamstedewode 1359 ib

• Gustamwode 1511 FF

• Gustedwood 1572 ib

• Gustard Wood 1612 Sess

Etymology

Gustardwood is Goshamstedewode 1272–5WAM , Gustamstedewode t. Ed 1WDB , 1392WAM , Gusthamstedewode 1340Ct , Gosthamstedewode 1359 ib., Gustamwode 1511FF , Gustedwood 1572 ib., Gustard Wood 1612 Sess. If the earliest form is the correct original one, this is 'goose hamstede,' with later excrescent t , but an original gorst is more likely. Professor Salisbury notes that the common here was formerly largely covered with gorse and juniper, the great clumps of the latter being far more in evidence than the gorse. gorst is used in OE of juniper as well as of furze (cf. juniperi þæt is gorst in the Leechdoms ) so we probably have reference to the juniper bushes and not to the furze ones.