Forms: 4–8 Coteswold, 5 Cotteswolde, 6 Cottesolde, Cotssold, 6–7 Cotsold, 7 Cottshold, Cotsal(l, Cotwold, 8 Cotsol, Cotswold. [From the 17th c. conjectured to be derived from sheep cots or cotes + WOLD; but the first element is uncertain.]
The proper name of a range of hills in Gloucestershire, England, noted for some centuries for their sheep-pastures, and for a breed of long-wooled sheep named after them. Hence also Cotswold lion, a humorous appellation for a sheep.
[1306. Petit., in Rolls of Parlt., I. 198/2. Ecclesie de Newenton super Coteswalde.
1327. Petit., ibid. II. 182/1. Unze Sakes & Sys cloves de le meliour Leyn de Coteswold a l’oeps nostre dit Seignour.]
1537. Thersites, in Hazl., Dodsley, I. 400. Now have at the lions on Cots’old.
1548. Hall, Chron., 196. Liberte for certayn cottesolde shepe to be transported into the countre of Spayne.
a. 1553. Udall, Royster D. (Arb.), 70. Then will he looke as fierce as a Cotssold lyon.
1593. Shaks., Rich. II., II. iii. 9. But I bethinke me what a weary way, From Rauenspurgh to Cotshall will be found. Ibid. (1598), Merry W., I. i. 92. How do’s your fallow Greyhound, Sir, I heard say he was out-run on Cotsall.
a. 1612. Harington, Epigr. (1615), 103, F 2 (N.). Lo then the mistery, from whence the name Of Cotsold Lyons, first to England came.
1658. Phillips, Coteswold (old word), a company of sheepcotes, and sheep feeding on hills.
1864. Disraeli, in Daily Tel., 22 Sept., 3/3. I shall cross my Downs with Cotswolds.
