Great Catsey Wood
Early-attested site in the Parish of Odell
Historical Forms
- Gatesho 1240 FF 1254 FF 13th Newn 15th
- Gotesho 1254 FF 1279 RH 1284 Ipm
- Gottsho 1276 Ass
- Gotesho 1276 Ass
- Gattessho 1367 Cl
Etymology
This is a difficult name. It is just possible that it may be 'goat's hill' (v. hoh ). The proper gen. of gat in OE is gāte , but if the name is of ME origin, as it may well be, gen. gātes , gōtes is quite possible (cf. also Gateshead in PN Nb Du). Shortening of the vowels of gates and gotes in the trisyllabic compound would explain the later forms. For initial c , cf. IPN 114.