English goblin is first recorded in the 14th century and is probably from unattested Anglo-Norman *gobelin, similar to Old French gobelin, already attested around 1195 in Ambroise of Normandy's Guerre sainte, and to Medieval Latin gobelinus in Orderic Vitalis before 1141, which was the name of a devil or daemon ...

What did goblins originate?

While from a folkloric perspective their origin may not be known, there were mythological tales that recount it: One of the most popular origin stories for Goblins states that they originated in France, in a cleft of the Pyrenees, but left at some point in history, spreading throughout all of Europe.

How long have goblins been around?

History found goblins around 1195 in Ambroise of Normandy's Guerre Sainte, and to Medieval Latin gobelinus in Orderic Vitalis before 1141. They were known as Kobold in Germany. The term goblin means an ugly fairy or devil.