This name was given to Great Britain by Latin writers before the Saxon period, especially in the writings of Julius Caesar. It may have been a mispronunciation of the probably Celtic name Pretani, or Pritani, which was used by Pytheas of Marseilles in the 4th century B. C.

In the period of Roman occupation, the symbolic figure of Britannia was used on Romano-British coins. One can see the seated figure of Athene on the reverse. The Romano-British coins from the time of Hadrian showed the symbolic figure of Britannia seated, often on a rock or globe with standard, sceptre or spear, and round shield; sometimes she was bareheaded and sometimes wore a helmet, and sometimes there were waves below the globe.

As an allegorical personage Britannia was revived in the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I, the spear was now replaced by Neptune's trident to symbolize growing British sea power. On coins the figure re-appeared in the reign of Charles II, designed by the French medalist John Rotier.

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