Oldham Street, which runs through the heart of the Northern Quarter, is not named because of the Greater Manchester town eight miles north east of the city but for a local feltmaker called Adam Oldham who had his business here in the late 18th century. Photo: Google MapsOldham Street, which runs through the heart of the Northern Quarter, is not named because of the Greater Manchester town eight miles north east of the city but for a local feltmaker called Adam Oldham who had his business here in the late 18th century. Photo: Google Maps
Oldham Street, which runs through the heart of the Northern Quarter, is not named because of the Greater Manchester town eight miles north east of the city but for a local feltmaker called Adam Oldham who had his business here in the late 18th century. Photo: Google Maps

10 well-known Manchester streets and the people they were named after - including John Dalton Street

Manchester street names commemorate everything from merchants and engineers to modern-day figures from the arts industry - here are 10 people remembered on the city’s signposts.

Andrew Nowell
By Andrew Nowell
Published 28th Apr 2023, 15:32 BST

The streets of Manchester city centre are full of reminders of the place’s past - and many of those memories are captured in the streets which are named after well-known people.

From merchants living when William Shakespeare was alive to wealthy landowners and engineers when the Industrial Revolution brought prosperity to Manchester, and from scientists to entertainers and figures from the world of arts and culture, many roads in the city bear the names of prominent Mancunians.

It’s a tradition which continues today, with eminent locals being remembered in roads near Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and in areas such as the redeveloped First Street neighbourhood.

Anyone who wants to take a deep dive into why Manchester’s streets have the names they do should check out LD Bradshaw’s fascinating book Origins of Street Names in the City Centre of Manchester.

In the meantime, we’ve had a look at 10 streets and the people who they are named after.

It’s a tradition which continues today, with eminent locals being remembered in roads near Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium and in areas such as the redeveloped First Street neighbourhood.

Kingsway, the dual carriageway connecting Levenshulme and Cheadle, was named after King George V. Constructed in the 1920s and opened in 1930, it originally ran from Levenshulme to Parrs Wood and was a joint road and tram route. Photo: Google Maps

9. Kingsway

Kingsway, the dual carriageway connecting Levenshulme and Cheadle, was named after King George V. Constructed in the 1920s and opened in 1930, it originally ran from Levenshulme to Parrs Wood and was a joint road and tram route. Photo: Google Maps Photo: Google Maps

Minshull Street is named after the wealthy Mynshull family who owned two large estates. In the mid-1700s the family fortune ended up with Barbara, the widow of a successful apothecary, who married a man she met at the races in Salford called Roger Aytoun who was fond of a drink and a scrap and formed his own military regiment. He is also permanently remembered in the city, on Aytoun Street. Photo: Google Maps

10. Minshull Street

Minshull Street is named after the wealthy Mynshull family who owned two large estates. In the mid-1700s the family fortune ended up with Barbara, the widow of a successful apothecary, who married a man she met at the races in Salford called Roger Aytoun who was fond of a drink and a scrap and formed his own military regiment. He is also permanently remembered in the city, on Aytoun Street. Photo: Google Maps Photo: Google Maps

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Related topics:EngineersMemoriesWilliam ShakespeareManchester CityArtsCulture

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