Fetter-lane has been erroneously supposed to have some connexion with the fetters of criminals.  It was in Charles the First’s time written Fewtor-lane, and is so in Howell’s “Londinopolis,” who explains it from “Fewtors (or idle people) lying there as in a way leading to gardens.”  It was the haunt of these Faitors, or “mighty beggars.”  The Faitour, that is, a defaytor, or defaulter, became Fewtor; and in the rapid pronunciation, or conception, of names, Fewtor has ended in Fetter-lane.

Gracechurch-street, sometimes called Gracious-street, was originally Grass-street, from a herb-market there.

Fenchurch-street, from a fenny or moorish ground by a river side.

Galley-key has preserved its name, but its origin may have been lost.  Howell, in his “Londinopolis,” says, “here dwelt strangers called Galley-men, who brought wines, &c. in Galleys.”

“Greek-street,” says Pennant, “I am sorry to degrade into Grig-street;” whether it alludes to the little vivacious eel, or to the merry character of its tenants, he does not resolve.

Bridewell was St. Bridget’s-well, from one dedicated to Saint Bride, or Bridget.

Marybone was St. Mary-on-the-Bourne, corrupted to Marybone; as Holborn was Old Bourn, or the Old River; Bourne being the ancient English for river; hence the Scottish Burn.

Newington was New-town.

Maiden-lane was so called from an image of the Virgin, which, in Catholic days, had stood there, as Bagford writes to Hearne; and he says, that the frequent sign of the Maiden-head was derived from “our Lady’s head.”

Lad-lane was originally Lady’s-lane, from the same personage.

Rood-lane was so denominated from a Rood, or Jesus on the cross, there placed, which was held in great regard.

Piccadilly was named after a hall called Piccadilla-hall, a place of sale for Piccadillies, or turn-overs; a part of the fashionable dress which appeared about 1614.  It has preserved its name uncorrupted; for Barnabe Rice, in his “Honestie of the Age,” has this passage on “the body-makers that do swarm through all parts, both of London and about London.  The body is still pampered up in the very dropsy of excess.  He that some fortie years sithens should have asked after a Pickadilly, I wonder who would have understood him; or could have told what a Pickcadilly had been, either fish or flesh."[120]

Strype notices that in the liberties of Saint Catharine is a place called Hangmen’s-gains; the traders of Hammes and Guynes, in France, anciently resorted there; thence the strange corruption.