This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Gregory.' This fontal name is now rarely used, but our directories prove a widespread popularity in the 13th and 14th centuries; v. Greg, Greig, Grigg, Gregson, &c. 'In the West it was borne (the name Gregory) by that greatest and best of papal watchmen to whom the English Church looks back as the original awakener of her faith' (Yonge).

'Ac Gregory was a good man.': Piers.

No wonder it won great favour in pre-Reformation days, for apart from the great Pope Gregory, a succession of Gregorys sat on the papal chair.

Gregory Grimbawd, Oxfordshire, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Elyas fil. Gregor, Cambridgeshire, ibid.

Peter Gregory, Bedfordshire, ibid.

Richard fil. Gregorii, Buckinghamshire, ibid.

Gregorius othe Castell, Close Rolls, 9 Richard II.

Gregory Bodsankorthe, Close Rolls, 10 Richard if.'

I only furnish a few instances. The Hundred Rolls prove a general liking for the name, and thousands of people to-day owe their surnames to the then reigning feeling in its favour.

This surname is derived from the name of an ancestor. 'the son of Gregory,' from nick. Greg. For some reason or other Gregory was very popular as a font-name in Yorkshire and Lancashire, in the 13th and 14th centuries. In North Lancashire, as a result, Gregson became almost a colonial surname. Preston seems to have been the leading centre.

Simon fil. Greg, 1273. Hundred Rolls.

Robert Grege, ibid.

Johannes Gregge, 1379: Poll Tax of Howdenahire.

Wilfelmus Gregge, 1379: ibid.

Johannes Gregson, 1379: Poll Tax of Yorkshire.

Henricus Gregson, 1379: ibid.

Hugo Gregson, 1379: ibid.

Johanna Greg-doghter, 1379: ibid.

Thomas Gregson, of Plumpton, 1540: Lancashire Wills at Richmond.

Richard Gregson, of Ingolhead, 1587: ibid.

Robert Gregson, of Preston, 1607: ibid.

Cristopher Gregson, 1542: Preston Guild Rolls.

From the Greek personal name Γρμγόριοζ, through Latin Gregorius 'watchman.' Several early Scots bishops bore this name, appropriate for the overseer of a church. Gregorius Duncheldensis, episcopus, c. 1150 (REG., 11); Gregorius episcopus de Ros, 1171—84 (REM., 3); Gregorius Moraviensis episcopus, 1150 (RD., 1). Gregory of Rutherford was a charter witness in reign of William the Lion (Melros). William filius Gregorii, provost of Crail, 1330 (ER., I, p. 265). Thomas Gregory was accused of deforcing in 1569 (RPC., I, p. 685). John Gegorie was minister of Drumoak in 1633 (SCM., III, p. 94), and Master Alexander Gregorie was retoured heir of Master John Gregorie, sometime minister of Dilmaik, his father, in 1651 (Retours, Aberdeen, 308). Greigory 1737.

'son of Greg,' which see. Thomas Gregson was tenant at Butterdean Mains, Chirnside, in 1805.

Greg’s Son: v. Greg.

“Son of Gregory”. See also Gregorowski.

The well-known personal name has not only become a surname, but has given rise to various others, especially Gregorson, Gregg, Gregson, Griggs, Grigson, Greig, Grix, and possibly Grocock. These forms are mostly Scotch, and Grier and Grierson, not to mention Mac-Gregor, are entirely so.

Originally MacGregor. The name was assumed by some members of the clan on being outlawed.

From the Greek Γρήγος, watchful. It may be derived from Gregor, as some of the Clan M'Gregor changed their name to Gregory, when the clan was proscribed and outlawed.

Derbyshire is the great home of the Gregorys, who, however, are also established in different parts of the country, Northamptonshire ranking next to Derbyshire in this respect, but they are rare or absent in the east of England and in the northernmost counties. In Derbyshire they have been established for many centuries; the Eyam family of Gregory carry their descent back to the times of Edward II. (W.). A Warwickshire family of the name begin their pedigree with John Gregory, lord of the manors of Fresely and Asfordby, Leicestershire, in the 13th century (L.); and about that time the name was also to be found in Bedfordshire and Bucks (H. R.).

Gregson was a Preston name from the 16th to the 18th century: Josiah Gregson was guild - mayor of that town in 1702 (B.).