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.

Gateford

Early-attested site in the Parish of Worksop

Historical Forms

  • Gattef' c.1130 Thoroton
  • Gaiteford 1166 P
  • Geitforth c.1170 Felley
  • Geytford 1366 Ipm
  • Gaytford 1275 FF 1280 Ass 1302 FA
  • Gaitford near Wirkesop 1332 Cl
  • Getteforth 1535 VE
  • Gatford 1544 LP
  • Gatefirth, Gaytfirth 1636 DukRec

Etymology

Gateford is Gattef 'c. 1130 Thoroton, Gaiteford 1166 P (p)et passim , with variant spelling Gayteford , Geitforth c. 1170Felley , Geytford 1366 Ipm, Gaytford 1275FF , 1280Ass , 1302 FA (p), Gaitford near Wirkesop 1332 Cl, Getteforth 1535 VE, Gatford 1544 LP, Gatefirth , Gaytfirth 1636 DukRec. This place-name probably goes back to an OE  gāta ford , 'goats' ford,' the first element having been early influenced by the cognate ON  geit.