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.

Ganwick Corner

Early-attested site in the Parish of South Mimms

Historical Forms

  • Gannokk 1475 AddCh
  • Gannockes 1547 LP
  • Gannock Corner 1605 Rental
  • Galley Corner 1754 R

Etymology

Ganwick Corner is Gannokk 1475AddCh , Gannockes 1547 LP, Gannock Corner 1605Rental , Galley Corner 1754 R. Hitherto that name has been explained as a compound of OE  gamen , 'game' and ac , 'oak,' 'games oak,' but Dr Angus McIntosh in the Review of English Studies (xvi, 54 ff.) suggests ME  gannok , possibly denoting a stronghold or fortified place. He himself notes in his suggestive article that the name calls for further investigation.