Greengrass Family History

For someone who lived at a green grassy spot, the term originates from Middle English grene ‘green’ combined with the regional gres ‘grass’, and is sometimes derived from Old Scandinavian gres.

This term also reflects a part-anglicization of Grün(e)gras or Grönegräs, which comes from the Low German words grön meaning ‘green’ and gras meaning ‘grass’.

The name was likely acquired through usage as a handout or ornamental designation.

In certain instances, it may have even functioned as a locative name, identifying someone who lived by a meadow or pastureland.