Unveiling the Origins of Britain's Top 10 Pub Names

Walking through a British town, you might spot pubs adorned with signs like the Red Lion, White Hart, or Royal Oak. While these names may seem commonplace, they reflect the heart of local communities, serving as gathering spots for people from all walks of life. Beyond their social role, these names also offer a glimpse into the nation's past, revealing tales of technological progress, royal conflicts, and even a monarch's daring escape. Discover the fascinating histories behind Britain's 10 most popular pub names.

1. The Red Lion

The Red Lion reigns as the most common pub name across Britain. While it may seem unusual—given that wild lions, let alone red ones, haven't roamed the region for millennia—the name's prevalence, adorning over 500 pubs, can be traced to two key historical influences.

The first explanation dates back to 14th-century England and John of Gaunt, the third son of King Edward III. A power struggle between John and his nephew, the future King Richard II, divided the nation. John adopted the red lion in his coat of arms after marrying into the Castilian royal family, while Richard's symbol was a white hart. As Albert Jack explains in *The Old Dog and Duck*, pubs displayed the red lion to show allegiance to John, while Richard's supporters chose the white hart. Though Richard initially claimed the throne, John's son, Henry IV, later seized power, ensuring the red lion's lasting legacy.

A second factor contributing to the Red Lion's popularity emerged two centuries later. When James VI of Scotland became James I of England, he mandated public buildings to display his crest, which also featured a red lion, further cementing the name's widespread use.

2. The Crown

The simplicity of many pub signs has historical roots. During an era when literacy was rare, a clear and recognizable symbol helped people identify establishments where they could enjoy a drink and a warm meal.

The crown, a universally recognizable symbol, has long been a popular choice for pub signs. In a nation with a rich monarchical history like the UK, displaying a crown demonstrated loyalty to the throne, a crucial gesture during times of political uncertainty. According to folklorist Jacqueline Simpson, author of *Green Men & White Swans: The Folklore of British Pub Names*, the use of the crown as a tavern symbol dates back to the Roman era.

3. The Royal Oak

The recurring royal motif underscores the monarchy's pivotal role in British history. The Royal Oak's origins trace back to the English Civil War, where King Charles II faced opposition from Oliver Cromwell and his supporters, advocating for parliamentary supremacy over monarchical rule. In 1651, with a bounty of £1000 on his head, Charles II evaded capture by hiding in the dense foliage of an oak tree. He recounted to Samuel Pepys the tense moments of soldiers scouring the woods, narrowly missing his concealed perch.

Upon his restoration to the throne in 1660, King Charles II's triumph was commemorated by numerous pubs adopting the Royal Oak name. The original oak near Boscobel House in Shropshire gained fame, attracting royalists who collected its branches as mementos, leading to its demise. A new oak, grown from an acorn of the original, was planted nearby. Centuries later, after this descendant was damaged, King Charles III, then Prince of Wales, planted another oak from its acorn, continuing the lineage.

4. The White Hart

The white hart, also known as a white stag, is considered a rare and auspicious symbol. Legends speak of a valiant hero who tamed a white stag and adorned it with a golden collar. This association with bravery and good fortune likely inspired the young King Richard II to adopt it as his emblem upon his coronation at the age of 10.

As noted by James Potts and Sam Cullen in their book What’s in a London Pub Name?, King Richard II, noticing the rise of Red Lion pubs supporting his uncle John of Gaunt, mandated pubs to display the White Hart emblem. However, his popularity waned after the 1381 Peasants' Revolt. Initially, the 14-year-old king brokered a truce but later reneged, suppressing the revolt harshly. This betrayal led many pub owners to revert to the Red Lion crest. Despite this, nearly 300 White Hart pubs remain across Britain.

5. The Railway

The Railway, the most common pub name without royal ties, reflects the significance of rail travel in the UK's progress. Although railways have existed in various forms for centuries, Britain pioneered steam-powered trains in the 19th century. This innovation revolutionized the nation, reducing travel times and facilitating the movement of people and goods. The rise of rail travel also created a demand for accommodations where travelers could rest or spend the night.

Travel and hospitality have long been intertwined. While inns for tired travelers were once found along major roads or canals, the advent of railways shifted their locations to train stations. Today, if you encounter a Railway pub far from a station, it likely indicates a former train station nearby, as noted by David Brandon in his book Discovering Pub Names and Signs.

6. The Plough

This straightforward pub name honors a farmer's essential tool and may also symbolize the agricultural origins of the beverages served within, such as beer, spirits, and wine, made from grains and fruits. Its presence in urban areas serves as a reminder of the UK's deep-rooted agricultural heritage.

7. The Swan

The origins of this pub name remain unclear. Swans appear in heraldic symbols, and some Swan pubs may derive their names from the surnames of their landlords. As Jacqueline Simpson notes, there is likely no specific folklore tied to the name. Instead, the grace and nobility associated with swans likely made them a favored image for pub signs. Sometimes, an appealing visual is all it takes to attract patrons.

8. The White Horse

It’s clear that many traditional pub names are influenced by the reigning monarch, with shifts in dynasty prompting displays of renewed allegiance.

Following the House of Hanover's ascension to the British Crown in 1714, their coat of arms, featuring a white horse, became prominent. With German origins, the Hanoverians embraced European equine mythology, which associated horses with valor, power, and intellect. The white horse first appeared on the coat of arms of Albert I, Duke of Brunswick-Grubenhagen, in 1361, as noted by the Royal Mint. Although removed from the royal crest in 1837 when Queen Victoria assumed the throne, the white horse endures in the names of over 250 British pubs.

9. The King’s Arms

This pub name doesn’t refer to a king’s physical arms but rather to the coat of arms carried by the monarch and his soldiers into battle. Heraldry was a key way to display loyalty, and the public easily recognized these symbols. While the coat of arms on pub signs might need updating with each new reign, the name The King’s Arms remained constant—until Mary I became England’s first reigning queen, that is.

10. The New Inn

Despite the name, many pubs with new in their titles are far from contemporary. However, they were once new establishments. Some landlords may have chosen simplicity over creativity when naming their pubs. Another theory suggests that “New” pubs proliferated whenever alcohol licensing laws were relaxed.

It’s evident that the UK is in dire need of more new pubs, as the nation is currently losing them at an alarming rate of over two per day.