Decoding London’s Curious Church Names: A Historical Guide

The City of London’s churches are renowned for their intriguing and often perplexing names, which serve as fascinating historical markers of the Square Mile. These dedications are not arbitrary but stem from a rich tapestry of medieval life, geography, and local customs. The main definition of these names lies in their direct connection to past features or events.

Many names indicate a church’s geographical location, such as “St Botolph-without-Bishopsgate,” signifying its position outside the ancient City walls. Others reference nearby royal institutions, like “St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe,” named after the Royal Wardrobe department. Local trades and commodities frequently inspired names; “St James Garlickhythe” marks a medieval garlic landing, while “St Margaret Pattens” points to the trade of wooden overshoes. Historical communities are remembered in names like “St Lawrence Jewry,” reflecting the medieval Jewish quarter. Some names derive from benefactors, such as “St Mary Woolnoth” (Wulnoth de Walebrok), or are corruptions of older terms, like “St Nicholas Cole Abbey” (from ‘coldharbour’) and “St Vedas-alias-Foster” (from St Vaast). “St Andrew Undershaft” uniquely recalls a large maypole.

The primary benefit of these unique names is their role in preserving London’s long memory, offering invaluable glimpses into its past streetscapes, industries, and social fabric. They provide a direct link to vanished landmarks and forgotten ways of life. However, these names also present certain “risks” or challenges. Their literal interpretation can be misleading without historical context, and similar names, such as the three “St Botolphs-without” or the potential confusion between “St Mary Woolnoth” and “St Mary Woolchurch Haw,” can lead to misidentification. Additionally, the disappearance of churches like “St Faith under St Paul’s,” which famously moved into the cathedral’s crypt, or “St Mary Axe,” named after a guild sign, means the original context of some names is lost to time, relying solely on historical records. These oddball names, therefore, are more than mere labels; they are enduring echoes of London’s vibrant history.

(Source: https://londonist.com/london/history/those-oddball-city-church-names-explained)