The college is named after Charles Grey, 2nd Earl Grey, who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the time of the university's foundation; an alternative name considered was Cromwell College, but this proved controversial and lost by a single vote in the final selection.

[5] The college coat of arms features a scaling ladder (or gré — the badge of the Grey family) between two St Cuthbert's crosses (the symbol of Durham).

[8] During the 1966 World Cup, Grey College was home to the Soviet Union's football team who were playing their group matches in Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

By the time these women had graduated three years later, Grey had become indistinguishable in population from the other mixed-sex colleges of the university.

[10] The Victor Watts Memorial Library, named after the college's third master, opened as an extension to Holgate House in 2005.

[11] There are four accommodation blocks on site: Hollingside (the main building), Elvet, Oswald, and Holgate House.

[13] Notable social events include "The Informal or Winter Ball"; the "President's Guest Night" and "Grey Day", a music festival following the end of the examination period.