Garforth
Major Settlement in the Parish of Garforth
Historical Forms
- Gereford(e) 1086 DB Wm2 Pat 1307 YCh354 1157 Pont c.1180 Ch 1189 FF 1308 Ebor 1226 1305
- Gerford 1241 FF 1248 Ebor 1276 RH 1285 KI 1428 FA
- Gerforth 1379 PT 1474 Testiii
- Garford Ed3 BM 1336,1357 FF 1391 YDi 1459 KirkstRent
- Garfurth(e) 1603 FF 1621 SR
- Garforth 1632 PRGf
Etymology
Probably 'ford near the triangular piece of ground', v. gāra , ford .The Gere - spellings show a consistent substitution of the cognate ON geiri (OEScand gēre ); usually ON geiri produces some early ME Geire -, Gaire - spellings (as in Gargrave vi, 53infra ), but it is also very frequently represented by Ger (e )- (cf. Lindkvist 46–51, Feilitzen 67, v. also Gelsthorpe v, 10 infra ). The ford must have been one across a small stream. The Beck at Garforth Bridge, and the 'gore' was probably the land included by the two main roads which intersect at this point (1″ O.S. 96–393324). Garford Brk, Garanforda BCS 761, appears to be of similar origin. The various parts of Garforth are known as: