Tothill Street

Westminster (SW1) Built on the site of Tothill Fields, where, in the year 1793, there was a famous beargarden. "Taketh name of a hill near it, which is called Toote-hill, in the great field near the street," says an early topographer. The name of "Tot" is the old British word teut, the German Tuesco, god of wayfarers and merchants. The third day of the week is still named after him. Sacred stones were set upon heights, hence named Tot-hills. Edmund Burke resided here; also Southern, the dramatic poet. Betterton, the actor, was born here in 1635. (Reference: Walcott's Memorials of Westminster, p. 281)