Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Gruuale 1156 Meaux

• Groual(e), Groval(e) t.John AddCh 13th YD 1289 YI

• Groual(e) juxta Beverlacum 1391 Test

• Grouall(ia), Grovall(ia) 1220–1 Melsa 1349 Meaux 1669 BevRec

• Grovhall, Grouhall 1290 YI 1364 Pat

Etymology

Cf. also Grovalgrene 1391 HMC(Bev), Grovaldyke 1391 BevDoc, le Grovaldyk 1439 HMC(Bev).

The first element is probably OScand  gróf “stream, hollow, the hollow which a stream makes for itself” (Rygh, NoGN, Indledning 52), well-evidenced in Norwegian place-names (v. NoGN xii, passim ). In ordinary literary usage in ME the word does not appear to have a topographical sense. Grovehill is near the river Hull and there are several streams and drains in the vicinity; the name therefore means 'nook of land formed by the hollow of a stream,' perhaps that called Grovaldyke . v. h(e)alh, dic .