Yateley is derived from the Middle English words of Yate meaning Gate and Lea meaning a river crossing or bridge.  The river in this case is the River Balckwater.

In the past Yateley has been the home of a highwayman, The Pason of Darby Green, and the town played host to one of the first meetings of the Gun Powder Plot.  Today some of the streets are named after the conspirators.

In more recent times the Dog and Partridge pub was the official headquarters of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party.