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.

Greasley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Greasley

Historical Forms

  • Griseleia 1086 DB 1130 P
  • Griselea 1176 CR
  • Greselega 1175 P 1201–12 RBE
  • Greselea 1176 P
  • Greseleya, Greseley(e), Greselegh c.1200 Wollaton 1331 Beauvale
  • Grasele 1211 RBE
  • Graceleg' 1235 Fees
  • Gresley 1212 1235 1284 FA
  • Grysele 1253 Ebor
  • Grysleye 1311 Pat
  • Grisele(y) 1287 For 1339 Pat
  • Grisley, Grysley 1343 Beauvale
  • Greselley t.Hy3 Ipm
  • Greysley 1280 Ass
  • Gresseley 1302 FA 1396 BorRec
  • Grisseley 1382 IpmR 1428 FA
  • Greasley 1627 FF

Etymology

Form suggests, and local enquiry confirms, the unlikelihood of Ekwall's suggestion (DEPN) that this is a compound of OE  grēosn , 'gravel.' The name must remain an unsolved problem.