Place Name
Literal, the road leading to Hammersmith. Originally a hamlet of Fulham Parish, so part of the estate of the Bishops of London. The exact origins of the name Hammersmith are uncertain. It was first recorded in 1294 as Hammersmyth (it went through various spellings including Hameresmithe in 1312, Hamyrsmyth (1535) before taking the present spelling in 1675). It is thought to come from the Old English words hamor and smiththe, suggesting this was a place with a hammer smithy or forge and so an area important for metal working – quite some advertising. Others however believe it derives from Hammoder’s Hythe, meaning a safe haven or a landing place belonging to Hammoder. This was the original Great West Road to Brentford.
