I've heard they're enslaved by Altmer, perhaps the Ayleids brought them to Cyrodiil. Perhaps the elves brought goblins from Cyrodiil to Summerset. There's not much information on their origins.

Either way, goblins in Tamriel are often pretty big, and pretty tough. Goblins, and their weapons and pets, were nasty in Tribunal (I'll never understand how those goblin clubs were so powerful), and the similar, but much, much smaller Riekings were also remarkably tough, especially when mounted. And then there are the Goblin Warlords.

I look forward to whichever game takes place in Hammerfell.

:turtle:

assuming that Goblins originate in Tamrielm, they are elves of a sort I think