Named after the Collin family, landowners here in the 16th century.
The area, essentially the dale between Mill Hill and The Burroughs, was first called Collin Deep after the 16th-century family of John Collin. A spelling with two Ls, Collindale, has also been used. Until the 20th century there was little here but Colindale Lodge, Colindale Farm and a few cottages on Colindeep Lane.