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The historic road Pilgrims’ Way forms the southern boundary of Effingham. The name derives from the proper Saxon name Aeffing and the word “ham” which means house. The first mention comes from 493. The next mention is from 727 when 20 dwellings in Effingham and Bookham were given to the Chertsey Benedictine monastery. This South West London area was part of the Effingham hundred. The Domesday Book records this area as Epingeham. Osuuold from Chertsey Abbey and Norman lord Richard Fitz Gilbert were in charge of it. In the 14th century, Sir John Poultney inhabited the local manor house. He was Lord Mayor of London four times. The house where he lived is now the clubhouse of the Effingham Golf Club.
In the 16th century, King Henry VIII stayed at nearby Hampton Court and hunted in the area. The Howard family was in charge of Effingham at that time. Lord High Admiral Charles Howard commanded the fleet against the Spanish Armada. It is believed that the 1591 oak fireplace in the mansion house originates from one of the ships under his command. The club’s emblem is inspired by the 17th-century oak tree that can be found near the clubhouse. Golf course architect Harry S. Colt designed the playing grounds. The field used to host The Open Championship qualifying rounds.
Sir Barnes Wallis the English scientist and engineer who invented the bouncing bomb used in World War II is a famous former Effingham resident. He lived at Little Court house. Toni Mascolo, the founder of chain of hairdressing salons Toni & Guy, lived in this area as well. One of the Wealth of the Nation reports stated that the residents of the area of Effingham had the second-highest average income per household in the United Kingdom. This KT24 area is home to a cricket club and the Leatherhead Rugby Club.