Have you ever wondered why pubs are named the way they are, and why so many common pub names are repeated across the UK?
Why are there so many Red Lion and Royal Oak pubs up and down the country?
The origin of pub names is historical – the first public house owners during the Middle Ages used to hang objects outside the building to signal that their establishment was a place to drink for customers who were predominantly illiterate.
Objects used included a bell, plough, or crown hence the common pub names including The Bell, The Plough, The Crown.
Animals such as lions, foxes and horses were also popular name choices.
As literacy developed within the general population by the 12th century, signs began to replace hanging objects to identify pubs.
However, many people were still illiterate, so pictures were featured on signs so customers who could not read could still identify a pub.
Several pubs were also named after local landowners or royalty – The White Hart is still a common pub name, as it was the personal badge of King Richard II, and signs often featured the coat of arms of local gentry and landowners.
Many modern pubs have retained the traditional approach to naming and using pictures of animals or objects to distinguish their establishment.
Top 10 most common pub names and how many are found in the UK
- Red Lion – 435
- Royal Oak – 344
- Crown – 268
- White Hart – 238
- Rose and Crown – 202
- White Horse – 195
- Kings Head – 194
- Kings Arms - 188
- Swan - 175
- Queens Head - 173
