The name
The name Goxhill is of uncertain origin and many derivations have been cited. The name Golse appeared in the Doomsday Book in 1086 and other variants include Gousel (c.1127), Gowsill (c.1349) and finally Goxhill by 1462. A full list of these variants appears in part 2 of "The Place-Names of Lincolnshire" by Kenneth Cameron. He suggests the most likely origin of the name is from the Old English "Geacesleah" meaning a "cuckoo's wood or glade" (geac - cuckoo, leah - wood).
However this origin is disputed in article by Richard Coates. He believes the name is Scandanavian in origin - from "Gausli" meaning "at the gushing spring".
More detailed information can be found in:
The Place-Names of Lincolnshire, Part Two by Kenneth Cameron. 1991.
"The Two Goxhills" by Richard Coates - an article in the English Place-Names Society Journal vol. 27 1994/5.
(Both available in North Lincolnshire Local Studies Library).
The place
Goxhill is a parish which extends to the Humber and lies about five miles from Barton upon Humber. The most notable buildings are the church of All Saints which is of primarily 15th century in origin and includes an impressive tower. Goxhill Priory lies about a mile away from the village in a place called Littleworth. It has never been used as a priory but is a secular 14th century building, possibly a manorial chapel of St Andrew belonging to the De Spenser family. The history of Goxhill owes much to its proximity to the Humber and its association with the Humber ferry. In more recent times Goxhill was the site of a base for the US Eighth Air Force in World War II.