Fann Street

Fann Street

East out of Aldersgate Street, at No. 106, to Golden Lane. Part of the street is in Aldersgate and Cripplegate Wards Without, and part in the Borough of Fins bury outside the City boundary (P. O. Directory).

First mention: "Fan Street" (Horwood, 1799).

Former names: "Fanns Alley" (O. and M., 1677–Strype, 1720). "Fanns Alley (Rocque, 1746). "Stanns Alley" (Strype, 1720 and 1755). "Bridgewater Gardens" (P.C. 1732–O.S. 1875).

In former times the street extended only from Aldersgate Street to Bridgewater Gardens, but in 1878 the name Fann Street was adopted for the whole street to Golden Lane, including Bridgewater Gardens (q.v.).

The early forms suggest that it was named after an owner or builder.

Fanns Alley, just without the Bars, as to the Entrance, which is broad enough for Carts, and but indifferently built and inhabited, the South side being in this Ward, and the other in the Liberty of St. Giles Cripplegate. This Alley hath a passage into Bridgwater Street, which leads into Brackley street, and so into Litton street, and thence into Golden Lane; all Places pretty well built with new Brick Houses, and built on the Ground belonging to the House of the Earl of Bridgwater, who resided there before it was all built into Tenements.

Fann's alley, Goswell street. †