"Smithfield" most commonly refers to the historic area in London, which derives its name from a corruption of the medieval term "smete field," meaning "smooth field," referencing the flat, open grassland outside the city walls used for a 12th-century livestock market. Other locations named Smithfield are often named after early settlers named John Smith, including:
It is thought that the name Smithfield came from a corruption of 'smeth field' Saxon for 'Smoothfield'. The City of London gained market rights under a charter granted by Edward III in 1327.
The Town of Smithfield was named after John Smith, “The Miller,” who was granted land by Roger Williams. Smith was one of the original party of six men headed by Roger Williams that formed the first settlement in Rhode Island.
Smithfield became London's livestock market in the medieval period. Animals reared as far away as the Midlands were brought here for sale. In 1174, William Fitzstephen described it as “A smooth field where every Friday there is a celebrated rendezvous of fine horses to be sold…
Smithfield is renowned for its mouthwatering hams, which have become a signature culinary delight. The town's long-standing tradition of curing and smoking ham has garnered worldwide acclaim.
Lunch & Learn: The History of Cypress Creek, Smithfield, Virginia
Is Smithfield family owned?
Smithfield Foods, Inc., is a Chinese-owned pork producer and food-processing company based in Smithfield, Virginia. Founded in 1936 as the Smithfield Packing Company by Joseph W. Luter and his son, the company is the largest pig and pork producer in the world.
1936. Smithfield Packing Company was founded by Joe Luter Sr. and Joe Luter Jr. on Commerce Street in Smithfield. Years later, statues honoring the founding family, including Joe Luter III, were erected on our Smithfield Foods campus.
In 1936, Joseph W. Luter and his son founded a small meat-packing company, The Smithfield Packing Company, along the tributary of the historic James River in the colonial town of Smithfield, Virginia.
When the plan was made public, in April 2019, excitement was expressed about the City of London Corporation, owner of the Smithfield meat market in Farringdon, Billingsgate fish market in Poplar and the New Spitalfields horticultural produce hub in Leyton, consolidating all three in one place.
In 2014, the Smithfield property transferred from the ownership of Preservation Virginia (previously the APVA) to the nonprofit organization known as Smithfield-Preston Foundation.
The neighboring town of Smithfield, Virginia, known as the “ham capital of the world” and “Hamtown,” is one of the biggest hubs for ham production. Smithfield is also home to Smithfield Foods, a world-famous name in the food industry.
Smithfield Foods is acquiring Tyson Foods' hog production operations for three million shares of stock worth about $80 million. Tyson's Pork Group Inc. has roughly 110,000 sows in the Midwest and North Carolina.
✨ Traits you'll love about the Smithfield: • Intelligent and quick to learn • Protective and loyal to their family • Energetic herders who thrive with a job to do • Shaggy, medium to long coat that gives them a scruffy charm Smithfields are an important part of Australia's farming history — though not as common today, ...
A name's origin comes from tracing its linguistic, geographical, and cultural roots through etymology, often revealing it stems from occupations (Smith), places (Rivers), family lineage (Johnson), or personal descriptions (Brown), with modern names drawing from diverse traditions, religious figures, nature, or admired people, all studied via historical records, language patterns, and genealogy.
Who is the largest shareholder of Smithfield Foods?
As of April 2025, WH Group, a publicly listed entity on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX: 0288.HK), maintains substantial control over Smithfield Foods. WH Group beneficially owns nearly 93% of Smithfield Foods' outstanding shares, solidifying its position as the primary Smithfield Foods owner.
In a surprising turn of events, the world-famous meat and fish markets might not actually be closing down for good. Phew. The City of London Corporation voted to withdraw its support for the 850-year-old markets in November 2024, meaning they would have to shut forever by 2028.
Yes, absolutely! Anyone can shop at London's historic Smithfield Market (and Manchester's New Smithfield Market), not just trade buyers like restaurants and butchers, but the general public can buy meat, poultry, fish, and produce, often at better prices, though you'll usually need to buy in bulk and be prepared for an early start.
Heralding what could be the largest-ever Chinese takeover of an American firm, US regulators on September 6 approved Shuanghui International Holdings' $4.7 billion bid for American pork producer Smithfield Foods Inc.
A new venture from Smiths of Smithfield (now owned by a Cyprus-based group, and not by MasterChef host John Torode, who opened the original 3-storey site in 2000), due to open on November 21.
Wan Long (Chinese: 万隆; born 1940) is a Chinese billionaire businessman, the chairman and CEO of WH Group, the world's largest pork company, with subsidiaries including Smithfield Foods in the US.
Jim Monroe joined Smithfield as vice president, corporate affairs in September 2021, leading the company's government affairs, corporate communications and community development programs.
