Unlike Ireland, where the names of pubs tend to be based on the name of the owner, in mainland Britain this has been unusual. Some pub chains in the UK adopt the same or similar names for many pubs as a means of brand expression. ‘Frogkin and Firkin’ and ‘Slug and Lettuce’ are examples of amusing paired names like ‘Bell and Fiddle’
About Pub names in brief
Pub names have a variety of origins, from objects used as simple identification marks to the coats of arms of kings or local aristocrats and landowners. Other names come from historic events, livery companies, and occupations or craftsmen’s guilds. Unlike Ireland, where the names of pubs tend to be based on the name of the owner, or a former owner, in mainland Britain this has been unusual. pubs wanted names that could be related to an image on their pub sign, a key means of identifying them in an age of restricted literacy. In Australia a high proportion of older pubs have names ending in ‘hotel’, and generally their names reflect hotel naming conventions. Some pub chains in the UK adopt the same or similar names for many pubs as a means of brand expression. The Black Bear, Walsoken actually had a black bear at the entrance to the premises years ago.
Dolphin, Wisbech, Isle of Ely, dolphins were caught and presented to the lord of the manor in earlier times, however it may just be a nautical reference to the port. The Moon Under Water is commonly used by the JD Wetherspoon chain, and the Tap and Spile brand name used by now defunct Century Inns chain. ‘Frogkin and Firkin’ and ‘Slug and Lettuce’ are examples of amusing paired names like ‘Bell and Fiddle’, though some are more recent. A possible explanation for doubling of names is when a landlord moved to another premises, for example Nellie’s in Netherton and Maardley’s in Pardley. Some pubs are known by former landlords and landladies, such as the names for Nellies and Maellie’s, and for Beverley’S in Maardton.
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This page is based on the article Pub names published in Wikipedia (as of Dec. 05, 2020) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
