wˈɪljəm wˈiːɾɚ θˈɔːt ɡˈɑːɹɡɹeɪv təbi dᵻɹˈaɪvd ðə kˈɛltɪk kɛɹ ænd ðə sˈæksən dʒˈɛɹɛfə, mˈiːnɪŋ "ðə kˈæmp ɔːɹ sˈɪɾi ʌvðə ɹˈiːv slˈæʃ ɡˈʌvɚnɚ".
William Wheater thought Gargrave to be derived the Celtic caer and the Saxon gerefa, meaning "the camp or city of the reeve/governor".