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London Streets and Squares: Grosvenor

Rutland Gate was designated after the mansion of the Dukes of Rutland hard by. Cumberland Gate and Duke Street, Grosvenor Square, were both named after the Duke of Cumberland, brother to George III. Grosvenor Gate, Grosvenor Street, and Grosvenor Square preserve the memory of Sir Richard Grosvenor, Grand Cup-bearer to George II., who died in 1732. The ancestral line of the Grosvenors may be traced back to Le Gros Veneur, "the chief hunter," to the Dukes of Normandy prior to the Conquest. Stanhope Gate, Great Stanhope Street, and Chesterfield Street received their names from Chesterfield House, the residence of Philip Stanhope, Earl of Chesterfield, of epistolary fame. Park Lane was formerly a narrow lane skirting the east side of the Park. Portugal Street was named in honour of the queen of Charles II. Chapel Street owes its designation to London Streets and Squares. its proximity to Grosvenor Chapel. Hamilton Place perpetuates the name of Colonel James Hamilton, Ranger of Hyde Park, and boon companion of Charles II. That fine thoroughfare known as Piccadilly was designated after "Piccadilla Hall," its most westerly building during the reign of Elizabeth, and utilized as a depôt for the sale of the then fashionable PICCA- DILLY LACE, so called on account of its little spearlike points, piccadilly being the diminutive of pica, a pike, a spear. In the succeeding reign of James I., the high ruff worn by males was styled a piccadilly, though the lace had disappeared from its edge.

Curzon Street was named after George Augustus Curzon, third Viscount Howe, the ground landlord.

Charles Street and Queen Street were first built upon in the reign of Charles II., in honour of whom and his queen they were designated. Shepherd Street, Shepherd's Market, and Market Street faithfully preserve the memory of the owner of the land upon which the ancient "May Fair" was held.