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.

Gawlish

Early-attested site in the Parish of Hartland

Historical Forms

  • Gavelersh 1318 Ass
  • Gavelhersh 1333 SR
  • Gawlyche 1566 DA

Etymology

The name is a compound of OE  gafol , 'tax, tribute,' and ersc, and must have originally denoted a piece of land leased or let for rent or services. Cf. Gavelacre (Ha), Gavelacre 1312 Ipm, Gavelmede (1228 Ch) in Hatfield Peverel (Ess), Gavylmede 1355 Cl (D), Gavelefurlinges 1199 FF (Nf) and Galford infra 187.