The most popular pub names in 2019

The Morning Advertiser​ (MA​) has compiled an updated list of the most popular pub names in 2019. The top 25 pub names listed below are using the data from MA​’s newsletter subscribers and magazine subscribers.

Pubs were often named thus because of religion, royalty, local trades and proximity to popular travellers’ routes, historically.

Many of these names have been retained but we are seeing more modern takes on the pub names too in order to differentiate, brand them as quirky and unique. 

For instance, the Nag’s Head most notably rose to fame in the much-loved TV comedy series Only Fools and Horses​ where many of its most memorable moments were set in the Peckham pub.

A shore thing​

Supposedly the name derives from days of pirates landing on the shores in the dead of night.

A gentle horse or nag would be led along cliff tops with a lantern tied around its neck to signal it was safe to land.

Some say the nag’s head was the lantern, others say it was the high point that could be spotted far out to sea.

While, the George & Dragon’s name grew popular following the English Civil War in 1651 where Oliver Cromwell triumphed over the Royalists.

St George is the patron saint of England and allegedly slayed a dragon – this legend stemmed from much earlier – the 12th century – during the crusades.

The top 25 pub names: ​

25. Nag’s Head

24. George and Dragon

23. White Swan

22. Cross Keys

21. Coach & Horses

20. Chequers

19. Prince of Wales

18. Fox & Hounds

17. Black Horse

16. Rising Sun

15. The Ship/Ship Inn

14. Wheatsheaf

13. Kings Head

12. Kings Arms

11. New Inn

10. White Horse

9. Queens Head

8. White Hart

7. The Bell/Bell Inn

6. Rose & Crown

5. Swan/Swan Inn

4. Plough

3. Royal Oak

2. Crown

1. Red Lion