Mentioned in Brihtmaer's grant of All Hallows Church. The description is as "at Gerschereche," 1053 (Thorpe Dip. Ang. Sax. p. 372).
Other forms : "Garscherche," 34 H. III. (Anc. Deeds, A. 7315). "Grasehirche," 1307 (Ct. H.W. I. 186). These are the general forms of the name in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Is it to be identified with All Hallows Gracechurch or St. Benet Gracechurch?
The references seem to suggest St. Benet. See the charter in Thorpe quoted above, in which All Hallows is separately mentioned, the description in Ct. H.W. I. 202 and 222, II. 8, together with the position of St. Benet's at the junction of Gracechurch Street and Fenchurch Street, where the cornmarket was held, 7 Ed. I. (Ct. H.W. I. 39).
See Gracechurch Market; St. Benet Gracechurch.
Derivation of name : From O.E. "gaers," "gers," "graes" = grass, a blade of grass, herb, hay.
The metathesis "er" to "re" or "ar" to "re" is of constant occurrence in the development of a language.
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.