Southfleet takes it name from the nearby River Fleet. The Parish includes the villages of Southfleet and Betsham, with the Parish Church tracing its origins back to the 14th Century, though like many local villages, traces of pre-Roman man have been found.  Both Southfleet (Suthfketa) and Betsham (Bedesham) are given mention in the Doomsday Book.

in 1086, Southfleet was in fact under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rochester and paid taxes to the Bishop's manor.  Under a charter of c 1200 AD the villagers of Southfleet had to contribute towards the cost of the third pier of Rochester Bridge.  

Southfleet is also home to one of the oldest schools in the constituency, Sedleys.  This was established in 1637 when Sir John Sedley gave £500 to setup a free school.