Entertainment, Lifestyle

The Most Common Pub Names And Their Origins

Posted on January 29, 2013

Public Houses are a fundamental element of British society and often play a key role in local communities. The British have been enjoying ale since the Bronze Age and the arrival of the Romans saw the introduction of inns built along the new network of roads. These were called tabernae from which we get the term tavern. Following the departure of the Romans the Anglo-Saxons introduced inns which were often established in private dwellings but open to the public hence the term public house.

Names

Taverns and Inns were given names to identify them and by 1393 it was compulsory to have a sign outside the pub in order to make the establishments visible to inspectors. Many inns were established at a time when a big proportion of the population were illiterate and so names were chosen which could easily be conveyed with a symbol and as many alehouses were aimed at travellers the names travelled across the country with them. These are two of the reasons that many pubs have ended up with the same names and here are the most common and their origins.

Kings Head

The fifth most common pub name in Britain is The Kings Head. This name dates back to the time of Henry VIII. Prior to his reign many pubs were called The Pope’s Head as a big proportion of the travellers who visited them were pilgrims. Henry VIII then broke away from the Church of Rome and innkeepers repainted their signs to avoid upsetting the king.

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Rose & Crown

Coming in at number four is the Rose and Crown. These pub signs feature a rose which is half red and half white with a crown on top, a symbol which was the badge of the Tudors and dates from the climax of the war of the roes in 1485. At this time the victorious Duke of Lancaster from the county of the red rose married Elizabeth of York from the county of the white rose. The Marriage united the two houses and saw an end to the war. The symbol is easily understood by those who cannot read and landlords would have been keen to flatter their rulers.

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Royal Oak

In third place is the Royal Oak. This is another name with royal connections. Following the battle of Worcester Charles II was forced to flee to France. During his escape he hid in an oak tree at Boscobel in Shropshire to evade Cromwell’s army. Following this episode inns or houses which sheltered the king during his escape were renamed the Royal Oak and the name was then adopted by other establishments as the story was spread by travellers.

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Crown

The second most common pub name is the Crown. Another signifier of loyalty to the monarch, this name had been used for centuries. The symbol of the crown was also easily identifiable to those who could not read which was the majority of the population until the 19th Century.

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Red Lion

The most common pub name is the Red Lion. Yet more royal connections! When James VI of Scotland inherited the throne of England in 1603 he decreed that all public buildings should display a heraldic red lion to reinforce his authority. The rule encompassed inns and taverns. A red lion had also been the symbol of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and was a feature of the Welsh coat of arms. Again the red lion symbol is easily recognised by the illiterate.

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This interesting article was contributed by guest author Sally Stacey. Sally has been writing for online furniture retailer National Furniture, who sell a range of Oak bedroom furniture, but don’t worry- none of it’s constructed from the Royal Oak!