The township was originally disputed territory between Pennsylvania and Maryland, resolved eventually by the Mason–Dixon line.

[3] The township also formed part of the northern section of Susquehanna Manor later known as New Connaught, a large settlement tract established by Maryland and named after the western province of Connacht in Ireland that courted Irish settlement into the area.

[3][5] The dispute led to heavy Quaker and Scotch-Irish settlement of the area.

[9] U.S. Route 1 is the main highway serving West Nottingham Township.

It follows a north-south alignment along the Baltimore Pike and Kennett-Oxford Bypass across the eastern portion of the township.

It follows Christine Road along a northwest-southeast alignment across the northeastern portion of the township.