English Place-name Society

Survey of English Place-Names

A county-by-county guide to the linguistic origins of England’s place-names – a project of the English Place-Name Society, founded 1923.

Smewnes Grange

Early-attested site in the Parish of Great Brickhill

Historical Forms

  • Smewenes melne 1251 FF
  • Smewynes 1330 Pat
  • Smewnes 1535 VE 1541 LP

Etymology

The pers. name Smewin is found in DB and may lie behind this p.n. Professor Ekwall suggests that it may be from an OE  pers. name Smēa -wine , with the same first element that is found in the OE  word smēa -þoncol , 'wise-thoughted.' Such a compound meaning 'sagacious friend' seems a very likely one.

Places in the same Parish

Major Settlement

Early-attested site