English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Goathland

Major Settlement in the Parish of Pickering

Historical Forms

  • Godeland(ia) 1108–14 Whitby 1109–14 YCh 1201,1205 ChR 1240 Lib
  • Golanda c.1170–88 YCh
  • Gotheland(e) c.1180 Add 1408 For
  • Gothelaund', Goþelaund' 1297 YI 1301 LS
  • Goodland 1497 NRS
  • Gotland 1576 FF
  • Goteland 1577 NRS 1612 NR
  • Goutland 1613 NR

Etymology

'Goda's land' v. land . The OE  pers. name Gōda here appears to have undergone a Scandinavian sound-change from d to ð (v. IPN 65). For the form Golanda v. IPN 110.