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.

Eel Pie Island

Early-attested site in the Parish of Twickenham

Historical Forms

  • one ayte called the parish ayte 1608 Cobbett
  • The Aight 1784 Walford
  • Gose Eyte, Goseeyte t.Hy6 Rental

Etymology

Eel Pie Island was earlier one ayte called the parish ayte 1608 Cobbett, The Aight 1784 Walford and may be identical with Gose Eyte , Goseeyte t. Hy 6Rental . '(Goose) islet,' v. iggoð infra 201. The present-day name is probably a quite modern humorous nickname from picnicking parties here. Cf. Eelpie Bridge (PN Nt 48).