Home » Reading & Literature » Folklore » Public-house Signs

Public-house Signs

© Virginia Marin

Folklore Table of Contents

Public-house, pub, or tavern signs are a fascinating study. Much of the history of Britain as well as the United States can be found hidden in these signs, as well as folklore, heraldry, and social customs. I wish to thank Mr. Bill Conroy of the "Inn Sign Society" for permitting the use of any or all of their pub sign graphics. Except for Fraunces Tavern, much of the information for this article was gleaned from the Society pages where you can view all of the signs and follow interesting links to other public sign pages.

Although the use of signs designating public buildings can be traced to the ancient Egyptians, their use actually came into focus with the Romans. Roman signs, made from quarrying local stone, spoke particularly to Bacchus, the Roman god of the vinyards, and of wine.

It was in Britian, however, that public signs came into vogue, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to the American Colonies. One of the first public signs in Britain was The Bush, from whence comes the proverb: "Good wine needs no bush." Two other early signs of early popularity were The Goat, referring to a dairy, and The Mule Driving a Mill, which pointed to an establishment selling baked goods.

In more modern days, pub signs have been divided into groups: folktales, ships, airplanes, railroad, animals, heavenly bodies and so forth. The top pub names are Red Lion, Royal Oak, Cross Keys, Crown, Bull, Coach and Horses, King George, Kings Head, Duke of Wellington, Admiral Nelson, New Inn, Plough, and Railway. Firkin is also quite popular--Fowl and Firkin and Fuzz and Furkin. A firkin is a beer barrel which holds nine gallons.

Of all pub signs, The Red Lion is the most common, not only in Britain, but elsewhere, including the United States. The Red Lion originated with King James I. Later, James V of Scotland, on ascention to the English throne in 1603, ordered the heraldic red lion of Scotland to be emblazoned on all buildings, as well as taverns.

In London, The Old Red Lion, built in 1415, was host to Thomas Paine, who wrote his Rights of Man while sitting under the inn's trees. Another notable to visit the inn was author Samuel Johnson.

The Red Lion Tavern in Los Angeles is a fascinating place to dine or to simply visit. Of a bit more historal interest is this petition for a Red Lion Tavern in May of 1857 in Germantown, Pennsylvania. This old inn offered eating and spirit comforts, and eleven bedrooms in 2 and 1/2 stories.

The copyright of the article Public-house Signs in Folklore is owned by Larry Low. Permission to republish Public-house Signs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.