The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #113306   Message #2407363
Posted By: Newport Boy
07-Aug-08 - 05:30 AM
Thread Name: Folklore: Street names
Subject: RE: Folklore: Street names
Near Charing Cross in London, there used to be 'Of Alley'. It was near the Gyre & Gimble coffee bar. It was there in the 50s, but I think it has now disappeared.

I was intrigued enough to find out how the name arose - it took me weeks. Now, the wonders of the internet give the answer in 2 seconds.

From Wikipedia:

In the 1620s, Villiers acquired York House, Strand, which, apart from an interlude during the English Civil War, remained in the family until George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham sold it to developers for £30,000 in 1672. He made it a condition of the sale that his name and title be commemorated by George Street, Villiers Street, Duke Street, Of Alley, and Buckingham Street, some of which have survived into the twenty-first century.

Phil