Most likely, it was named after a notorious 18th century Yorkshire drinker, Henry Elwes, who was known as Toby Fillpot (or Philpot) and was inspired by an old English drinking song, The Brown Jug, which paid tribute to Toby Fillpot, whose ashes were made into Tobys jug; the popular verses were first published in

What is the difference between a Toby Jug and a Toby mug?

Original Toby Jugs showed a seated man, sporting a tricorn hat, puffing on a pipe, and holding a mug of ale. Toby Jugs also must have a spout, designating that its used to pour a liquid. Toby Mugs: A Toby Mug is a Toby Jug that doesnt have a spout. Without a spout, its used for drinking, so its a mug.

When was the first Toby jug made?

1760s The original Toby Jug, with a brown salt glaze, was developed and popularised by Staffordshire potters in the 1760s. It is thought to be a development of similar Delft jugs that were produced in the Netherlands.

What sort of people feature on Toby jugs?

In addition to the Ordinary Toby, other popular Jugs from the 18th and early 19th centuries are the Thin Man, Squire, Hearty Goodfellow, Sailor, Man on a Barrel, Lord Howe, Collier, Drunken Sal, Gin Woman and Martha Gunn.