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How Do I Find a Limited Company's Previous Names?
Search the company using its number on the Companies House register, and any previous names sit right there under a dedicated heading. The company number stays the same for life, even through a name change, which is exactly what makes this search reliable.
Key Takeaways
- A company's number never changes, even when its name does, which is what makes tracking previous names possible.
- Search by number on the Companies House "Find and update company information" service, free of charge.
- Previous names appear under their own heading on the company's overview page, along with the date each change took effect.
- Checking previous names is a genuinely useful step in due diligence, not just idle curiosity.
How Do I Actually Search for a Company's Previous Names?
Go to the Companies House "Find and update company information" service and search using the company's number rather than its current name, since that's the one detail guaranteed not to have changed. Once you're on the company's overview page, previous names are listed under their own heading, alongside the date each change took effect.
If you only have the current name and not the number, search by name first. The overview page will still show you the number and, from there, the full history.
Why Would I Want to Check a Company's Previous Names?
It's a genuinely useful part of due diligence, not just background trivia. If you're considering doing business with a company, a name change history can be worth a second look, particularly if a company changed its name shortly before or after some other notable event, like an insolvency at a previous entity, a director dispute, or a run of bad reviews under the old name.
It's also simply useful for everyday reasons: confirming you're dealing with the same company you remember under a different name, checking a supplier's history before signing a contract, or just satisfying curiosity about a rebrand you've noticed.
Does a Name Change Affect Anything Else About the Company?
No. The company number, its legal identity, existing contracts, and its obligations all carry on exactly as before. A name change is purely cosmetic from a legal standpoint, which is part of why the number is the reliable anchor for tracking a company's history.
If you're wondering whether a name recently freed up by a dissolved company is available to use yourself, our guide to using a dissolved company's name covers that specific question.
FAQs
How do I find out what a company used to be called?
Search the company on the Companies House "Find and update company information" service, using its company number, and check the "Previous Names" section on its overview page.
Does a company's number change when its name does?
No, the number stays the same for the life of the company, which is what makes tracking previous names reliable.
Is checking a company's previous names useful for anything practical?
Yes, it can be a genuinely useful step in due diligence, particularly if you're checking a supplier or partner's history before working with them.
Is this service free to use?
Yes, Companies House's company search service is free, with no account or registration required.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Companies House services can change, so it's worth checking current guidance on GOV.UK before relying on the details above.
