English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Gretton

Early-attested site in the Parish of Winchcomb

Historical Forms

  • Grettun, Gretton(a) 12 Tewk78d 12–1340 WinchLB 1185 Templar 1236 Fees
  • FF 1248 Ass 1285 FA 1703 PR
  • Gretton iuxta Wynchecombe 1310 FF
  • Gretona 1175 WinchLB 1201 Cur
  • Greaton 1580 FF

Etymology

'Farmstead near Greet', v. tūn . Greet is a mile away and this name forms the first el., since OE  grēot 'gravel' itself would be inappropriate at Gretton, which is on heavy clay.