What do Hull’s street names mean?
What’s in a name? In our city, the answer is quite a lot.
From dual carriageways bringing visitors into the heart of Hull to smaller lanes and cut throughs only known to the select few, many of our streets hold special associations.
As an historic city, Hull has many notable street names entwined in folklore, passed down the generations. Here are 10 of our favourites:
Land of Green Ginger
Located off Whitefriargate sits arguably Hull’s most famous street.
While the origin of the name isn’t known for sure. Some believe that it simply refers to the fact that spiced ginger was sold and stored in the street during the Middle Ages. A second school of thought suggests it could derive from the surname Lindegreen, a Dutch family who lived in the area during the 18th century.
Clive Sullivan Way
Clive Sullivan Way, the name given to the A63 between Hessle and Hull city centre, was named after one of the city’s greatest adopted sons.
Born in Wales, the rugby league legend represented both Hull FC and KR with distinction. He was also part of the Great Britain team which lifted the Rugby League World Cup in 1972.
Roger Millward Way
While Clive Sullivan Way dominates the west of the city, Roger Millward Way does the same in the east.
Formerly Garrison Road, the dual carriageway was renamed in 2018 after the former Rovers and Great Britain star who was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2000. He is widely regarded as one of the best half backs to ever play the game and scored more than 200 tries during his time in east Hull.
Posterngate
It is now home to Atik nightclub and runs from the popular night spot to Trinity Square but Posterngate’s early days hark back to the establishment of the city’s walls.
A postern was a secondary door to a fortification. This means that today’s one-way street is the site of one of Hull’s many access points in the Middle Ages.
Alfred Gelder Street
Named after the famous architect born in North Cave, Alfred Gelder Street runs most of the way alongside the city’s imposing Guildhall and right up to Drypool Bridge.
Gelder also served in the Guildhall for five years as mayor and was later elected as an alderman. He was even knighted for his services to architecture and to Hull.
Gandhi Way
Gandhi was the great political and spiritual leader who successfully led India to independence before his assassination in 1948.
And, although thousands of miles from his homeland, recognition of his achievements can be found in Hull. Gandhi Way, formerly known as George Yard, runs between High Street and Alfred Gelder Street at the heart of the Old Town, close to Wilberforce House.
Bowlalley Lane
Bowlalley Lane cuts through between Lowgate and the Land of Green Ginger, and was named after a bowling green.
The green used to sit in the grounds of a manor house that was once situated where the street now sits.
Blackfriargate
Similarly, Blackfriargate was named after residents of a friary in the town.
Black-robed Augustinian friars were based in the area for more than two centuries and gave their name to the street which now serves as access to Arco’s multi-storey car park.
Whitefriargate
Formerly one of Hull’s most popular shopping streets, Whitefriargate is seeing a return to prominence with investment incoming to return it to its former glory.
Back in the 14th century, a Carmelite friary was built in the Old Town, close to Beverley Gate. The friars who lived there were known as White Friars due to the colour of their garments, hence the name.
Chevy Chase
Just inside the city’s eastern border near Bilton, sits Chevy Chase. Contrary to some thoughts, the cul-de-sac wasn’t named after the National Lampoon and Community star but instead after a medieval ballad or folk song.