Gratton
Early-attested site in the Parish of Meavy
Historical Forms
- Gropeton 1242 Fees776 1303 FA 1306 Ipm
- Gropetoune 1291 Tax
- Cropeton 1291 Dartmoor 1408
- Grapton al. Gratton 1688 Recov
Etymology
There is an OE grōp , denoting a ditch or drain (cf. Förstemann ON i, 1117). We may possibly have this word or an allied weak form in this name. Gratton lies in a hollow, but the whole matter is very difficult. Equally difficult is Grappenhall (Ch), DBGropenhale . This is in a slight depression on a small stream, possibly another grop . In the Devon name the stream is the Meavy so that Gratton can hardly take its name from the stream itself. A pers. name Gropa is also possible.