The oldest companies in the UK, from 1327 onwards

21 October 2026 · Figures as of 21/10/2026

The Companies House register isn't only start-ups. Some of its active entries were incorporated centuries before Companies House existed, and the register keeps the dates as recorded.

The ten oldest active entries

1. The Wardens and the Commonalty of the Mystery of Goldsmiths of the City of London: 01/01/1327
2. The Worshipful Company of Cutlers: 04/12/1416
3. The Worshipful Company of Brewers: 22/02/1437
4. The Worshipful Company of Cordwainers: 26/04/1439
5. The Worshipful Company of Tallow Chandlers: 08/03/1462
6. The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers: 20/03/1463
7. The Dyers' Company: 02/12/1471
8. The Worshipful Company of Carpenters: 07/07/1477
9. The Worshipful Company of Cooks of London: 11/07/1482
10. The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers: 10/03/1501

Nearly all of them are City of London livery companies: the medieval guilds of goldsmiths, cutlers, brewers and the rest, which still exist today. Just outside the top ten are the Coopers (1501), the Bakers (1509) and the Royal College of Physicians of London (1518).

See the full list

Our oldest companies table shows the 100 longest-lived entries, refreshed daily. Click any name for its company page: status, registered office area and filing history.