High Halstow is literally a 'holy place'. It goes back to the a Saxon word 'stow', which was used for a general 'place' as well as a place of assembly or, as here, a holy place. It is combined and reinforced with halig 'holy'. Other spellings include; Halgesto, Halgastaw, Hagelstowe, Hagelsto and Agelstow. The area has been occupied by Romans, Saxons and Normans.
The 10th Century church is dedicated to St Margaret and was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. The bells of St Margaret's church were installed in 1675, although there had been a bell since 1350. Early in the 20th Century, the vibration threatened the tower structure and the bells were amended, so that only the tongues swung, rather than the bells. In 1983, the five bells were restored, the wooded supports being exchanged for metal.
In 1878, The Hundred of Hoo Railway Company was set up. The first part of the line was opened in March 1882. A halt was added at High Halstow in 1906. By the late 1950's traffic had declined and was closed in 1961.
