Little Smeaton
Major Settlement in the Parish of Birkby
Historical Forms
- Smidetun(e), Smitune 1086 DB
- In litle Smithetune 1088 LVD50d
- Parva Smitheton 1199 ChR 1316 Vill
- Smedeton 1200 Abbr
- Smiton parva 1285 KI
- Litill Smeton 1530 Visit
Etymology
'The smiths' farm' v. tun . The first element is OE smið .The modern form arises from lengthening of OE ĭ in an open syllable as in Upleatham 153supra , with subsequent lowering to [eː] and raising to [iː]. Cf. Great Smeaton 281infra .