Snow Hill

   North-west out of Holborn Viaduct to the Central Meat Market in Smithfield, and to Farringdon Street (P.O. Directory).

   This street has been entirely reconstructed, and though retainlng its old name it occupies a wholly different site.

   Prior to the formation of Skinner Street in 1802 it ran east from Fleet Market, afterwards Farringdon Street, at Holborn Bridge to Cow Lane, then south into Holborn and east to the Old Bailey, thus forming the highway between Holborn and Newgate Street, and being considerably greater in extent and importance than at the present time. It was narrow, steep and circuitous, and so remained until 1867, when it was removed for the construction of Holborn Viaduct and its approaches.

   The construction of Skinner Street in 1802 had deprived it of much of its importance as a thoroughfare.

   After 1867 it was rebuilt in the direction set out above and made wider than the old street so named.

   First mention: "Snowre Hill," I H. VIII. (L. and P. H. VIII. I. p.73).

   Other forms : "Snourehilstreete," " Snourehyll," 36 H. VIII. (ib. XIX. (I), p.624). Snow hill," 4 Ed. VI. (Lond. I. p.m. I. 136-7). " Snower hill," 16 Eliz. (ib. II. 175). Snore hill," 19 Eliz. (L.C.C. Deeds, Harben Coll. 1500-1600, No.25).

   It is suggested by a writer in N. and Q. 8th 5. XII. pp.23-4 that the name is derived from the Erse word "snuadh " = a brook, the street leading at one end to the Fleet.