East out of Coleman Street, at No. 56, to Moorgate Street (P.O. Directory). In Coleman Street Ward.
First mention: Horwood, 1799.
Former names : "Bell Alley" (Leake, 1666-Boyle, 1799). "Bell Alley," alias "Gough Alley," 1614 (Ct. H.W. II. 738). "Goughes Alley," 1582 (Lond. I. pm. III. p. 46). "Myll Alley," alias "Goughes Alley" 1586 (ib. 89). "Myll Aley," alias Gowghe Alley," 36 H. VIII. 1544 (L. and P. H. VIII., XIX. Pt. 2, p. 83).
Named Myll Alley after Wm. Mills, who lived there in the 16th century (Lond. I. p.m. III. 148).
In Horwood and the earlier maps, as well as in the O.S. 1848-51, Great Bell Alley extended from Coleman Street across Moorgate to Little Bell Alley and beyond to the eastern boundary of the ward. Now the eastern portion from Moorgate to Little Bell Alley is called Telegraph Street (q.v.) and the portion beyond Little Bell Alley, "Copthall Buildings" (q.v.).
The name "Bell Alley" is derived from the sign.
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.