This Olde Lincolnshire name is a transposed spelling of the Norse -Viking pre 8th Century 'Grimmoldibi' now found in the place name 'Grimoldby'. The place name derives from the personal name 'Grimmr' which is believed to mean 'a hill haunted by a ghost(!)' plus 'bi' or 'by' meaning a farmstead, and still found in the northern 'byr' meaning a cattle shed or barn. The place name appears in the 1086 Domesday Book as 'Grimalbi or Grimoldbi'. The name development includes John Grimbleby recorded at Thornton Curtiss on 22nd of June 1599, and Thomas Grimblebey who married Mary Tod at Tetney, in May 1667, in the reign of Charles 11, (1660-1668). Later examples include John Grimbleby and his wife Ann, maiden name not known, who had six children christened at the church of St. Mary, Lambeth, London between July 27th 1827 and December 10th 1834 when twins Henry George and Julia were recorded. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Margere Grembylbe (as spelt), which was dated 1563, christened at Kingerby Church, Lincolnshire, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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