Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Griseburghanes c.1216 Lowth

• Grisburghanys 1246–9 ib

• -burchanes c.1294 ib

• -bume 1716 PR

• Graysburn 1770 M

• Griseburn(e) 1776,1823 M

Etymology

Griseburn, Griseburghanes c. 1216Lowth , Grisburghanys 1246–9 ib, -burchanes c. 1294 ib, -bume 1716 PR, Graysburn 1770 M, Griseburn (e )1776, 1823 M. OE  burgæsn denotes a cairn or pile of stones (cf. Borrens i, 54); it occurs in this name and Holborn Hill, Swathburn, and the lost Scarburganes (infra ); at Holborn Hill there is the site of a settlement, at Swathburn a crag and scar, and at Griseburn only a large old quarry. There may have been a settlement site or ancient enclosure at Griseburn later used for young pigs (v. gríss ), but if so it has been destroyed in local railway workings.