Mention Beef Wellington, and it immediately signals ceremony. Its roots, however, are less precise than its polished presentation suggests. The dish first became associated with Britain in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Some food historians argue it was named in honor of Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, after his victory at Waterloo in 1815. The parallel between the duke’s strong, protective military image and the beef encased in pastry armor has long been part of the lore.