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.

Gowbarrow Hall, Park and Wood

Early-attested site in the Parish of Watermillock

Historical Forms

  • Golbery c.1250 Lowther
  • Golebergh 1294 Ass 1323 Cl 1323 Ipm
  • Parcus vocat' Golbergh 1436 IpmR
  • Golber 1477 CWxxi
  • Golborowe 1509 LP
  • Calleberg 1294 Misc
  • Gobber Fell 1487 Ipm
  • Gowberro becke, Gowberay parke 1589 LRMB
  • Gowberey Hall 1595 PR
  • Gowbrey park 1624 Naworth
  • Gowborough Park 1750 Norfolk

Etymology

The long run of forms in Gol - is against Ekwall's derivation of the name from g(e)alga or galgi, be(o)rg, 'gallows hill' (v. DEPN). Nothing definite can be said about the name, but, as Professor Ekwall now suggests, ON  gol , gola , 'wind,' is a probable first element, in which case Windhill (WRY), Windle (PN La 109) and the Cape Dutch De Windberg (cited under Crossfell, supra 243) are parallels.