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.

Gaddesden

Major Settlement in the Parish of Great and Little Gaddesden

Historical Forms

  • Gætesdene 944–6 BCS812 c.1250
  • Gatesdene 1086 DB
  • Gatesden(e) 11th Gesta 1428 FA
  • Gatesden Parva 1204 FF
  • Gatesden Magna 1254 Val 1294 SR
  • Gatesdan' 1221 Fees
  • Catesden 1240 BM
  • Getesdene 12th StAlbansN
  • Gadesden(e) 1228 Ch 1287 Ass
  • Gadysden(e) 1405 Pat
  • Gattesdena 1230 Bracton
  • Gaitesdene 1314 Cl
  • Gaddesden 1402 FA
  • Gaddysden the More 1432–43 ECP
  • Gadson 1679 Sess

Etymology

The first element of this name is found also in Gateseye , the original name of the river Gade, v. supra 3. It is clearly a personal name. Ekwall (DEPN) suggests a personal name Gǣte or Gǣten , deriving from gāt , 'goat,' used as a nickname.

Places in the same Parish

None