1) South out of Lombard Street at No.36 (P.O. Directory). In Langbourne Ward.First mention: Strype, 1720.
Called: "Plow Court" (Rocque, 1746). "Plough Yard" (Strype, ed. 1720, I. ii. 163).
Northern portion formerly called "Nag's Head Court" and afterwards "Lombard Court" (q.v.).
Pope said to have been born in this Court. Rebuilt about 1872.
2) East out of Fetter Lane, at No.47, to Great New Street (P.O. Directory). In Farringdon Ward Without.
First mention: "Plow Yard" (O. and M. 1677).
Strype says a messuage and tenements called the "Plow" were granted 2 Ed. VI. to Thomas Bartlet, probably the King's printer, after whom Bartlett's Buildings were named (Strype, ed. 1720, I. iii. 248). Described as an "ordinary" (that is "an eating house") in 1598 (H. MSS. Com. Salisbury, X. 114).
3) North out of Barbican at No.49, in Cripplegate Ward Without (P.O. Directory).
First mention: O. and M. 1677.
In Rocque, 1746, "Plow Alley."
"Plough Alley" in Strype, ed. 1720 and 1755, and P.C. 1732.
Name derived from the sign.
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.