It turns out these are the names Britons consider to be the brands that have had the greatest impact on their lives. These are the findings of a survey conducted by the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO).

Behind each of these names are thousands of companies whose reputation and commercial value are protected by a national register. This year, the British trademark registration system celebrates its 150th anniversary. Today, it protects over 2.5 million marks. It all began on January 1, 1876, when the country’s first official trademark became the red triangle on a Bass & Co beer label.

TOP 10 Most Iconic British Brands:

• Rolls-Royce (a symbol of luxury and quality)

• Radio Caroline (a pirate radio station that became the voice of youth)

• Twinings (tea sold at the same London address since 1706)

• Cadbury (chocolate associated with childhood and holidays)

• Bass (the very first registered trademark)

• Burberry (the famous check pattern and trench coats)

• Transport for London (TfL) (the famous red “roundel” logo of the Underground)

• Calpol (medicine found in every parent’s cabinet)

• Mini (the small car that became a cultural icon)

• BBC (a symbol of reliability and news)

Why are these names so important?

A trademark is more than just a picture; it is a legal promise of quality. When you see a familiar logo, you subconsciously know exactly what you are going to get.

• Cadbury: People note that everyone knows this brand—from toddlers to adults. It accompanies Britons through life’s most important moments, from birthdays to comfort during illness.

• Calpol: This is the “3 a.m. brand.” Every parent knows that feeling of relief when the medicine finally begins to work for a sick child.

• Rolls-Royce: This name has become a generic term for the best of the best. People say, “It’s the Rolls-Royce of coffee machines,” meaning the highest possible quality.

• Transport for London: The Tube logo glowing in the dark of a rainy winter evening means one thing to millions of people: “the way home.”

From Inkwells to Robots: How the World Has Changed

When the registration act first came into force in 1875, applications were sent by mail and recorded by hand. Back then, you could only register names for physical goods.

Today, the register protects things that would have seemed like magic to Victorians:

• Digital goods and services: From mobile apps to games.

• Unusual items: Products made from edible insects, wearable smartphones, and humanoid robots.

• Diverse formats: Nowadays, a trademark can be more than just a word; it can be a sound, a moving image (hologram), or even a specific sequence of light flashes.

Interesting Facts from the Register:

• More than 400 marks registered before 1900 are still active today. They have survived across three centuries!

• Among the “old-timers” are Lyle’s sugar (with its biblical motto on the tin) and Pears Soap.

• The trademark “Millennium” was registered back in 1892—108 years before the millennium actually arrived.

Over the past year, the office received approximately 200,000 new applications. This proves that despite changing technology, the desire of businesses to protect their good name remains as strong as it was 150 years ago. Those who register a mark today are telling the world: “We have created something of value, and we stand behind it with our name.”

Founder of Research & Patent group Intectica, author of patent algorithms for solving problems in the pharmaceutical industry, patent attorney certified in all intellectual property objects (Patents, Design, TM), with education in chemistry and law, chief expert of the patent institution of Ukraine UKRPATENT (1997-2004). Member of international organizations, including ECTA, PTMG, UAM, lecturer and blogger.