Gate in Place Names

Gate: in place-names it meant just what it says – a gate to the town or city, from the period when most cities were walled round for defense.

It was usually a passage through the town wall. Aldgate (Old Gate), Cripplegate (the gate where cripples sat), in London, are examples.
In the north of England, however, it was used to describe a road through the town, such as Briggate (Bridge Road) in Leeds, and Kirkgate (Church Road).

 Wakefield Kirkgate railway station

Words →