Geldeston's name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from the Old English for Gyldi's farmstead or settlement.

Geldeston is home to a crinkle crankle wall (located close to the village green), which are found most commonly in Suffolk.

[3] Geldeston falls within the constituency of South Norfolk and is represented at Parliament by Richard Bacon MP of the Conservative Party.

For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of South Norfolk.

[5] The current incumbent of the parish is the Reverend David Smith, who was licensed as priest-in-charge of the Waveney Benefice and the Raveningham Group on 4 March 2020.