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.

Church Gresley

Major Settlement in the Parish of Church Gresley

Historical Forms

  • Gresele, Greselea, Greselee, Greseleia, Gresel', Greselega, Greseleg(e), Greselegh(e), Greseleya, Greseley(e) c.1125 LeiSur 1132,1150–9 Burton c.1158 Bemrose 1166 RBE c.1175 Gresley 1176,1177 P c.1510 Austin
  • Griseleia 1194 Cur
  • Griseleg' 1220 ib
  • Griseleya c.1280 Austin
  • Gryseley 1330 Ass
  • Gresleia, Gresle(i), Gresley(e) 1166 RBE 1208 FF c.1232 DbCh 1259 BurtAn c.1280 DbAnsvi 1281 FF
  • Gresselee, Gresseleg',Gresseley(e) 1183 P 1258 Ipm 1291 Tax 1346 FA
  • Greyseley 1272 BurtCh
  • Greisley 1504 PCC 1552 DKR
  • Churchegreseleye 1363 Pat

Etymology

Ekwall's suggestion (Studies 175–6) that this is 'gravel clearing' (v. grēosn , lēah ) cannot be substantiated, though no alternative etymology can be suggested. Speculation about possibilities would remain unfruitful; cf. Greasley (PN Nt 144–5).

Places in the same Parish