Local legend has it that Welling is so called because in the era of horse-drawn vehicles it could be said you were "well in" to Kent, or had a "well end" to the journey up and down Shooters Hill which, at the time was steep, had a poor road surface and was a notorious haunt of highwaymen.

Welling has undergone significant residential development over the past century.

Welling experienced residential development during the early 20th century, primarily driven by suburban expansion from London. This period saw the construction of Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses, providing affordable housing for workers and their families.

Throughout the latter half of the 20th century and into the 21st century, Welling continued to grow, with further housing developments and improvements to infrastructure. This included the construction of new housing estates, the refurbishment of existing properties, and efforts to enhance amenities and public spaces.

While Welling may not have traditional historical buildings, its residential developments over the last century reflect the changing needs of London's suburban communities.