It is a part of the municipality of Aa en Hunze, and lies about 11 km southeast of Assen.

The village was probably first mentioned in the 12th century as Grunlo, and means "green open forest".

[3] Grolloo is an esdorp which developed in the Early Middle Ages on the Hondsrug as a satellite of Rolde.

[4] From 1550 until 1669, the Landdag (legislative assembly) of the province of Drenthe was held in Grollerholt, a forest near Grollo.

[6] Grolloo has a statue of Harry Muskee, one of the band's founders and lead singer.