Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Gudlagesarc, Gudlagesargo 1086 DB

• Gouthelaghcharthes 1272,1308 WCR

• Guthlacharwes 1306 ib

• Goutlackarres 1286 YI

• Gouthlacharwes 1306 WCR

• Gouthelakkerres 1316 ib

• Gouthlokeres 1428 FA

• Gulakarres, Goulakarres 13 YDi

• Goulayecarches 1307 WCR

• Goulaghcarthes 1309 ib

• Gourocarhes 1284 WCR

• Govalacres 1286 DodsN

• Goldecar 1337 DodsN

• Gouldeker 1361 Arm

• Gouldekar 1488 ib

• Guldecar 1398 ib

• Goldkar(r) 1427 1437 WB63

• Goldkard 1437 YDxii,250

• Gowlkar' 1439 YDxii,250

• Goulkery 1481 Testiii

• Goulcare 1578 FF

• Goulekar 1451 Arm

• Gouleker 1488 ib

• Gowlecar(r), Gowlekar 1466 WB64 1507 Arm 1558 WillY

• Golker 1504 Ipm 1555 YDi 1652 WillS

• Golcar 1534 FF 1558 DodsN

• Golkar(re) 1567 1589 WillY 1614 FF

• Goolker 1608 FF

• Gowker 1715 Sav

Etymology

'Guthlac's shielings', v. erg . The first el. is an anglicised form of the ON  pers.n. Guðleikr or possibly Guðlaugr ; the predominance of earlier spellings with -lac -, -lak - etc., favours the former (cf. also Feilitzen 278). The history of the spellings to the present contracted form is noteworthy. On the significance of this p.n. v. Introd.