Dundee’s streets have not always carried the names we know today.

Over centuries, routes have been renamed to reflect royalty, religion, industry and redevelopment. Behind many modern street signs are older identities that tell us how the city once looked and functioned.

Here are nine streets and areas whose names have changed over time.

Victoria Road

formerly Bucklemaker Wynd

Before it became Victoria Road, this busy route was known as Bucklemaker Wynd. The original name likely came from craftsmen who made buckles in the area. As Dundee grew during the 19th century, the street was renamed in honour of Queen Victoria, reflecting a shift away from trade-based names towards something more formal and civic.

Barrack Street

formerly Friar’s Wynd and Burial Wynd

Barrack Street has had several identities. It was once called Friar’s Wynd, linking it to religious life in medieval Dundee. It later became known as Burial Wynd, suggesting the presence of burial grounds nearby. The current name reflects the military barracks that were later built in the area.

Market Street

formerly Steam Loom Brae

Market Street once carried the industrial-sounding name Steam Loom Brae. This title connects directly to Dundee’s textile past, when steam-powered weaving was central to the city’s economy. The modern name is simpler, but the earlier version captures the importance of industry at the time.

Argyllgait

formerly part of the Overgate

Part of what is now Argyllgait was once considered the western section of the Overgate. The Overgate itself has medieval origins, and as the city centre evolved, certain sections were renamed or redefined. The change reflects how Dundee’s layout has shifted over time.

Tindal’s Wynd

formerly Castle Wynd and Skirling’s Wynd

Tindal’s Wynd has gone through at least two earlier names. It began as Castle Wynd, likely linked to Dundee’s early fortifications. It later became Skirling’s Wynd, possibly named after a local landowner, before eventually adopting its current title.

Brook Street

formerly the “Scourin’ Burn”

Brook Street was once known as the “Scourin’ Burn”. The name referred to a local stream that ran through the area. As the community developed and became more residential, the name changed to something more in keeping with a growing town.

Atholl Street, Lochee

formerly Albert Street

Atholl Street in Lochee was previously called Albert Street. The renaming may have been part of wider efforts to avoid duplication or confusion as Dundee expanded and absorbed surrounding areas.

Lorne Street, Lochee

formerly Mid Street

Lorne Street once had the straightforward name Mid Street. The original title simply described its position within the community. Over time, it was renamed, possibly to align with neighbouring streets that followed a similar naming pattern.

Russell Street

replaced older Hilltown lanes

Russell Street did not simply change name. It replaced a network of older lanes in the Hilltown that were cleared during redevelopment. In this case, entire historic street names disappeared as the area was rebuilt, marking a significant shift in Dundee’s urban landscape.

Street names may seem ordinary, but they quietly reflect the city’s journey from medieval burgh to industrial powerhouse and modern urban centre. Each renamed street offers a small glimpse into Dundee’s changing identity over the centuries.