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.

Gorlofen

Early-attested site in the Parish of Brixton

Historical Forms

  • Gorlowesfenne 1281 Ass
  • Gorlowefenne 1284 FA
  • Gorlefenne 1330 SR
  • Gorleven 1433–72 ECP2,4

Etymology

The name seems to be a triple compound of gor, hlaw and fenn , meaning 'the marshy land by the muddy hill or mound.'