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.

Gorsley

Early-attested site in the Parish of Newent

Historical Forms

  • Gorst(e)leg(h), Gorst(e)l', Gorst(e)le(y) c.1220 Newent51d 1221 Ass 1228 Cl 1270 For 1398,1424 Ipm
  • Gostelegh' 1221 Ass
  • Gorseleye, Gosseleye 1287 ib
  • Gosteleya, Gosseleya c.1290 Newent16,31

Etymology

Gorsley, Gorst (e )leg (h ), Gorst (e )l ', Gorst (e )le (y )c. 1220Newent 51d, 1221Ass , 1228 Cl, 1270For , 1398, 1424 Ipm, Gostelegh '1221Ass , Gorseleye , Gosseleye 1287 ib, Gosteleya , Gosseleya c. 1290Newent 16, 31. 'Clearing amongst the gorse', v. gorst , lēah .