South-west from No.11 Bishopsgate to the Bank of England (P.O. Directory). In Broad Street Ward. First mention Three needle Street" (S. 1598, p.137). Threed Needle Street" (Leake, 1666-O. and M. 1677).
In early days it seems to have been called Broad Street (q.v.) and extended to the Mansion House.
Hatton says it was so called of such a sign, i.e. of " Three needles."
Others suggest that it was so called on account of its connection with Merchant Taylors' Hall, while others suppose it to refer to the arms of the Needlemakers' Company -" three needles in fesse argent."
A Roman pavement was found under the French Protestant Church at a depth of 12-13 feet. The different levels suggest that the remains formed fragments of the flooring of various rooms. Coins have also been found (Arch. XXXVI. 206; XXIX. 401 et seq.).
The remains of Roman villas found on the line of the railway and extending across the roadway prove that it has no claim to be regarded as one of the older streets of the city (R. Smith, Illus. R. Lond., p. 56).
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.