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Derbyshire Pub Names As well as the well-known pub names that are found all over the country (such as Red Lion and Royal Oak), there are also some unusual Derbyshire pub names that are not commonly found outside the county. This article, although not an exhaustive list, looks at the origin of a few of these. BLUE STOOPS : ‘Stoops’ or ‘stoups’ is local dialect for ‘posts’. Prior to the introduction of house numbering in the 18th century, pillars or posts supporting a porch were painted distinctive colours as an easy means of identifying the house or property. In a similar manner, adopting Blue Stoops/Posts as a pub sign was a way of identifying it as ‘the building with blue posts’. Examples of pubs with this name are found in both Chesterfield and Dronfield. The latter pub was actually called the ‘Blue Posts’ until the 19th century.
PIG OF LEAD : A name inspired by the local lead mining industry, ‘Pig’ being a term for an oblong mass of unpurified metal, obtained in the smelting process. A pub with this name in Bonsall closed in 1995. QUIET WOMAN : A relatively rare name found at Bolsover and Earl Sterndale and a variation on the more common sign of the ‘Good Woman’. Originally it was probably intended as a historical reference to female saints who had suffered decapitation and also to two wives of Henry VIII who paid the ultimate price for matrimonial fallouts with the King. However many signs have a further meaning which will delight male chauvinists. One licensee (in Yorkshire) added a rhyme to his sign, just in case anyone was uncertain of the intended pun: ‘Here is a woman who has lost her head. She’s quiet now - you see she’s dead’. The sign at Earl Sterndale depicts a headless woman and the motto ‘soft words turneth away wrath’ which has given rise to some entertaining, if unlikely, local legends explaining its origin. RACECOURSE TAVERN : Found at Whittington Moor, which was once encircled by Chesterfield Racecourse. The pub, on Stand Road (a reference to the course grandstand), looked onto the racecourse. At the time of writing (February 2004), the pub has been closed since late 2003 and its future is uncertain. Close by there is the ‘Donkey Derby’, a Tom Cobleigh pub opened in 1997. Again this name refers to the proximity of the pub to the old racecourse. SPANKER INN : The term ‘spanker’ was commonly used in Victorian times to refer to any fine person or animal. However, it is believed that this pub at Nether Heage was named after a 17th century racehorse called ‘Spanker’. It has not been possible to find details about Spanker’s racing career (those were the days before the classics were run), although in the Classic Racehorse (Willet), Spanker was said to be ‘the best horse to run at Newmarket during the reign of Charles II’. According to the General Stud Book (a sort of diary of the love lives of racehorses), Spanker grandsired the more famous ‘Flying Childers’. Spanker would probably have made a terse ‘no comment’ on such speculation. SPEEDWELL INN : This inn is situated at Lowgates, Staveley and is the home of local micro-brewery Townes. It takes its name from the Speedwell colliery that was situated nearby. Most of the collieries in the Staveley area were owned by the Barrow family, also ship-owners, and it is said that the Speedwell colliery was named after one of their ships.
WELL RUN NETTLE : This Milltown pub was originally known as the ‘Greyhound’. A long gone landlord then renamed it after his greyhound - ‘Nettle’. After the dog won a premier greyhound race, a further change of name was felt appropriate - ‘Well Run Nettle’. However, a later licensee reverted back to the ‘Greyhound’. Surprisingly, back in 1996, the licensees at that time uncovered this long-forgotten tale and renamed the pub - ‘Well Run Nettle’ but since 1998 and a further change of ownership, it has been again known as the ‘Nettle’. Phew ! FURTHER READING : A good starting point for anyone interested in pub names is the Wordsworth Dictionary of Pub Names (Dunkling and Wright) that can be obtained from Beer-Inn Print, Tel 01422 844437. Two classic books on pub signs are ‘English Inn Signs’ (Larwood & Hotten) and ‘British Inn Signs and their stories’ (Delderfield). As both are now out of print, try libraries and second hand bookshops (expect to pay in the region of £15-25 for each). As well as local knowledge, books on heraldry can often help identify signs that originate from the crests/shields of local families. Jim McIntosh This webpage was last updated on Sunday, 02 September 2007 |
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Copyright © 1996 - 2007 Chesterfield & District CAMRA |
DERBY
TUP : Derived from the popular ballad “The Derby Ram”, the Ram being the
badge/emblem of the wool trade. The Derby Ram ballad is the basis of a
traditional song/sketch routine - the Derby Tup - that was performed,
particularly around Christmas, in North East Derbyshire pubs up until the
1960s. This tradition probably inspired the naming of the Derby Tup at
Whittington Moor, which had been known as the ‘Brunswick Hotel’ until 1983 -
indeed the pub still has an etched window bearing this name. A rare example
of a well-thought out pub name change. 
PEACOCK
: The use of the Peacock as a pub name, although not exclusive to
Derbyshire, is frequently encountered in the North Eastern part of the
County. The name is a reference to the family badge of the Manners family,
whose head was the Duke of Rutland and it is usually found in areas where
the Duke owned land and was Lord of the Manor. Using the Duke’s name (e.g.
Rutland Arms, or an item from the family’s badge e.g. Peacock) could be
either an acknowledgement of the Duke’s power and influence, or that the
Duke could indeed have owned the inn. There have been at least nine pubs
called the Peacock locally. 
THORN
TREE : The use of trees in pub signs was widespread in previous
centuries simply because many of our inns and pubs were to be found next to
trees which were well-known local landmarks. Whilst many different types of
tree appear throughout the country, use of the thorn tree is almost peculiar
to Derbyshire, as found for example, at Matlock. It is not known why this is
the case.