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.

Smorel Ho

Early-attested site in the Parish of Brailes

Historical Forms

  • Smerewell 1419 Ct
  • Smerewall 1525 Rental

Etymology

Smorel Ho (6″) is Smerewell 1419Ct , Smerewall 1525Rental , Smerl close 1585, Smorrell 1608LRMB . This name is probably a compound of OE  smeoru , 'butter,' and wielle , and the name must have had reference to the colour or appearance of the water.Cf. Smoorells infra 358 and Smarkham (PN Sr 256).