As with all the London-designed engines, the Bedivere is named after a figure from the Arthurian tales. Sir Bedivere is one of the most long-appearing figures in the Arthurian tales and one of the most loyal Knights of the Round Table, acting as marshal and right-hand-man to King Arthur himself. In some versions of the tale, Bedivere is one of the few knights to survive the final battles which destroy Camelot, and returns Excalibur to the Lady of the Lake, loyal to the last.