Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Garentre 1279 RH

• Garentrewere 1426 Colexxxvi

• Gār- (cf. Garford (PN Berks 38), æt Garanforda 940 BCS761

Etymology

Garden Tree (lost) is Garentre 1279 RH, Garentrewere 1426Cole xxxvi (cf. Garentre piscaria 1546MinAcct ), Garden tree 1604Atkyns , 1679FenS .The second element is trēow, 'tree'; the first may well be a personal name Gāra , a short form of names in Gār - (cf. Garford (PN Berks 38), æt Garanforda 940 BCS 761). It is possible, however, that the place- name is related to the obscure Gartree of Gartree Wapentake (Lei, L), with early forms Geretrev , Gairtre , Cheiretre and the like (EHN i, 46–7, 53). The origin of that name is obscure, but it would seem to be related to ON  geirr , 'spear.'