In 1353 an unspecified "Twergasse circa forum piscium" (cross-lane near the fish market) is mentioned, which can only refer to the Tobiasgasse. In 1357 it was named "platea piscatorum" (Fishermen's Lane) after the adjoining fish market. After the Holy Spirit Hospital was relocated here from the Heilig-Geist-Gasse in the same year, the lane was generally called "Neue Heilig-Geist-Gasse" (New Holy Spirit Lane, 1368), or simply "platea circa ecclesiam sancti Spiritus" (lane near the Church of the Holy Spirit, 1377/78).

However, the older name remained in use alongside; as late as 1416 the designation "Kleine Fischergasse" (Little Fishermen's Lane) appears, in distinction from the "große" (great) one -- today's Häkergasse. In the same year the present name first appears, likely derived from a personal name, and has remained fixed ever since, often in the shortened form "Tomsgasse." The mention of a "sanctus Tobias" in 1456 seems to be an error recalling the older name.

The lane also included the extension beyond the Damm that now belongs to the Büttelgasse, which formerly ran all the way through to the Dominican monastery. The name "Kleine Tobiasgasse" was still listed as an alternative designation for the Büttelgasse in the address book until 1896.

Even today it still bears the same name, translated into Polish.

History