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.

Goatley

Early-attested site in the Parish of Northiam

Historical Forms

  • Gatele c.1210 Pens
  • Gotele c.1260 Pens 1320 Misc
  • Gotteleye 1279 Ass
  • Gootle 1428 FA
  • Gotley 1607 SRS14,156

Etymology

Goatley is Gatele c. 1210 Pens (p), Gotele c. 1260 Pens (p)et freq to 1320 Misc, Gotteleye 1279Ass (p), Gootle 1428 FA, Gotley 1607 SRS 14, 156. 'Goats' leah,' v. gat . The modern form is due to the influence of the independent word 'goat.'