The derivation of the name is uncertain, although it is commonly accepted to be quite literally referring to its evergreen pastures, and indeed the village is favourably situated at the foot of the Margraten Plateau which retains water in its bedrock.

This provides for a constant gentle irrigation, and the lush clay soil carried here by the river Meuse is excellent for growing fruit trees.

Gronsveld used to be an autonomous county until the end of the ancienne regime at the closing of the 18th century and was part of the imperial circle of Westphalia.

The Lords, Barons and Counts of Gronsfeld-Diepenbroick had, due to their Imperial immediacy, the right to mint their own coins which were frequently banned from circulation elsewhere because of their insufficient weight and/or alloy.

Who will be king is determined on Pentecost Monday by a contest where the candidates take turns shooting a wooden bird atop a long pole on the church square.