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.

Gospel Oak

Early-attested site in the Parish of Lapworth

Historical Forms

  • Gospell oake 1608 LRMB

Etymology

Gospel Oak (6″) is Gospell oake 1608LRMB . It is on the parish boundary. This place-name is common in many counties, and refers to a tree where a halt was made and a passage from scripture read during the Rogation ceremony of 'beating the bounds.'