Great Distaff Lane

A Dictionary of London by Henry A Harben.

West out of Friday Street to Old Change, in Bread Street Ward, and Farringdon Ward Within (O.S. 1848-51).


First mention: Horwood, 1799.

Former name and forms : "Distauelana," 12th century (Harl. Ch. 84, H. 31). "Distave lane," 1258-9 (Ct. H.W. I. 2). "Distaflane," 54 H. III. A. 1590). "Distafes lane," 33 Ed. I. (Cal. Close R. Ed. I. 1302-5, p. 330).

"Mayden lane" or "Distaffe lane," corruptly for "Distar lane," as I read in record of a brewhouse, called the Lamb in Distar lane, 16 H. VI. (S. 353 and 347).

The earliest form, as shown above, is Distaue, not Distar, and Stow is in error as to this.

Haliwell says that the day after Twelfth Day was jocularly called "St. Distaff's day" ; perhaps this street name was connected with the popular saint in some way.

Cordwainers' Hall was in this street, now No. 7 Cannon Street.

Absorbed into Cannon Street, when that street was extended and widened in 1853-4.

The name survives in Little Distaff Lane (q.v.).

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