Green’s Dictionary of Slang

gregory n.

[Gregory Brandon, who worked as executioner under James I (1601–25), to be succeeded by his son Richard, better known as ‘Young Gregory’]

a hangman.

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[UK]Mercurius Fumigosus 29 13–20 Dec. 232: A great fray had the same time like to have been between a Black Jack and Gregory about the disposition of a Cloak.