What's in a pub name?

NOWADAYS pub names are very much built around brand awareness and often use easily recognisable logos or imagery like Table Table, Harvester or the Slug and Lettuce. Interestingly, pub signs were originally created because most of the punters were unable to read and needed pictorial signs to recognise a watering hole.

Whilst many pubs names are nonsensical, some have derived from original sensible meanings. The Bull and Bush purportedly celebrates the victory of Henry VIII at "Boulogne Bouche" or Boulogne-sur-Mer Harbour. Some common names now had a much deeper meaning to punters at that time like the Marquis of Granby. These pubs were named after John Manners, Marquis of Granby, who was the son of John Manners, Third Duke of Rutland and a general in the 18th century British Army. He showed a great concern for the welfare of his men, and on their retirement, provided funds for many of them to establish taverns, which were consequently named after him.