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.

Gotham

Major Settlement in the Parish of Gotham

Historical Forms

  • Gathā 1086 DB
  • Gatham 1158 DurhamDandC t.Ric1 Ch 1335 1310 ib
  • Gataham 1148–53 BM
  • Gaham t.Hy2 Ch 1318 FA 1302
  • Gotham 1269 FF 1291 Tax 1310 Ch 1332 SR
  • Gotteham 1335 Ass
  • Goteham 1477 IpmR 1494 FF
  • Goteham al. Gotham 1657 Moulton
  • Goatum 1750 ParReg(Plumtree)

Etymology

'hamwhere goats were kept.' For the loss of medial t in many forms cf. Gayhurst (PN Bk 2).