 In turn, the pub's name and sign were derived from the serpent on the Cavendish arms of William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire.In the early 21st century, the inn was renamed the Snake Pass Inn, such that the inn now refers to the road that referred to itself.The first road between Glossop and Ashopton was the Doctor's Gate, that follows the Shelf Brook between Shelf Moor and Coldharbour Moor.