South English is a city in Keokuk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 202 at the time of the 2020 census. It is named for the English River. South English was incorporated in 1892 and named after the English River. In 1863 an incident occurred near the community when a pro-southern minister was shot by supporters of the Union. This incident has since become known as Tally's War or the Skunk River War.