Named after a white chapel, the church of St Mary Matfelon.
The chapel stood by 1282. It was built of white chalk rubble, or whitewashed with lime and chalk, and its white shine is commonly believed to have given it, and then the area, its name. By about 1320 it was called St Mary Matfelon, perhaps after a founder or benefactor: a wine merchant named Richard Matefelun is recorded locally in the 13th century.