Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• (la) Gid(i)ehall' 1258 WalthamA

• Gid(d)yhall(e), Gid(d)ehall(e) 1376 Cl 1412 FA

• Gydihall by Ramford 1466 Ch

• Giddye hull 1594 N

• la Ged(i)ehall(e) 1258 WalthamA 1307 Extent

• Gedyhall(e) 1478 IpmR

• Geryhall 1510 ADvi

• Godding' 1275 RH

• Guyd(a)y(e)hall 1549 Pat 1576 Indexiii

• Guydie hall parke, warren 1668 Terry

• Gidea Hall 1881 O.S.

• Gydiebernes, Gydyebernes 1248 FF

• Gediberne 1375 Ct

• la Gidiland 1507 ADii

Etymology

The interpretation of this name is obscure. The first element looks like the common adj. giddy (OE  gydig ) but it is difficult to see how, except by way of a nickname, this could be applied to a hall. Such a use of giddy seems also to be found in Gydiebernes , Gydyebernes 1248 FF, Gediberne 1375Ct (Canewdon) and perhaps in la Gidiland 1507 AD ii (Mistley). Cf. also Giddy Hall in Little Clacton infra 336.