Survey of English Place-Names

Historical Forms

• Smythebrooke 1605 PRThl

• Smythye Broke 1613 ib

• Smethebroke 1641 ib

• Smithe Brook 1771 M

• Bancke Smythes 1575 WillY

• Banckesmithies, Bank(e)smithies 1593 1617 PRThl 1639 PREm

• the Smythes 1540 Testvi

• the Smythyes 1614 ib

Etymology

Smithy Brook, 1822 Langd, Smythebrooke 1605 PRThl, Smythye Broke 1613 ib, Smethebroke 1641 ib, Smithe Brook 1771 M, v. smiððe, brōc; the smithy (doubtless iron-smelting works) was called Bancke Smythes 1575 WillY, Banckesmithies , Bank (e )smithies 1593 ib, 1617 PRThl, 1639 PREm, the Smythes 1540 Test vi, the Smythyes 1614 ib. The identity of Banksmithie is not certain and these spellings may in fact refer to the old iron-smelting works at Furnace Hill in Shitlington 208supra , which is in Bank Wood. v. smiððe , brōc .