The name Aldeby derives from the Old Norse word meaning "old fortification".

[1] For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the area of the district of South Norfolk.

[citation needed] Aldeby is mentioned in the Domesday Book and was part of Clavering hundred.

[citation needed] Between 1959 and 1968, the village was the location of a Royal Observer Corps monitoring bunker, to be used in the event of a nuclear attack.

[2] St Mary the Virgin church holds the village's war memorials.