Survey of English Place-Names

Etymology

It has been found only in late records, e.g. le Gratton 1636, close called Gratton 1656, the Gratton 1700Deed , and it is difficult to say how early the word was in use in the county. The meaning is clearly that given under gratton , gratten in EDD, viz. 'stubble, stubble-field,' applied to land after corn, hay or other crops have been removed, on which it is customary to turn sheep, pigs, geese, etc. to feed. Cf. also NEDs. v. gratten .