 The early records of all four Inns of Court have been lost , and it is not known precisely when each was founded . The records of Gray 's Inn itself are lost until 1569 , and the precise date of founding cannot therefore be verified . Lincoln 's Inn has the earliest surviving records . Gray 's Inn dates from at least 1370 , and takes its name from Baron Grey of Wilton , as the Inn was originally Wilton 's family home ( or inn ) , the Manor of <unk> . A lease was taken for various parts of the inn by practising lawyers as both residential and working accommodation , and their apprentices were housed with them . From this the tradition of dining in " commons " , probably by using the inn 's main hall , followed as the most convenient arrangement for the members . Outside records from 1437 show that Gray 's Inn was occupied by socii , or members of a society , at that date . 
