South from Fore Street crossing London Wall to Gresham Street (P.O. Directory). In Coleman Street Ward.
Earliest mention: "Colemnannestrate," (sic.) 1227 (Cal. Charter Rolls, H. III. Vol. I. p. 55.)
Other forms : "Colemanestrat," 1235 (ib. p. 202). "Colemanstrete," 1259 (ib. II. p. 23). "Collemannestrate," 1290 (Ct. H.W. I. 95). "Colmanstrete," 1309-10 (Ct. H.W. I. 211).
In 1666 the street only extended north to London Wall, the northern end to Fore Street being called Moor Court.
In the 13th century it seems to have formed one street with Old Jewry, and to have been called "Colechurch Lane," "Colechurchstrete," or "Colemanstrete," interchangeably.
House at the south-west corner to be pulled down 1760 to widen the thoroughfare (Gent. Mag. Lib. XV. 227).
Kingsford suggests that the name is derived from "Ceolmundingehaga," or farm of Ceolmund near the Westgate mentioned in a charter of Burhred of Mercia, c. 857 (Thorpe, Dip. 118). But this street seems to be too far distant from the Westgate to make this derivation likely.
Riley's suggestion is that the name was derived from the "coalmen" or charcoal burners, who settled there near the Moor (Mem. p. xix.).
The earliest forms suggest an owner's name.
Near the Swan's Nest Public-house, a pit or well full of vessels was found, having an entire depth of 30 ft. (R. Smith, 142). Also a brick pavement at a depth of 20 feet.
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.