[3] The name is probably derived from a spring to the northeast of the village called Emma's Well, which was used by Sir Hugh Myddelton as one of the sources of the New River in the early 17th century.

It is believed to have been named after Queen Emma of Normandy, wife of King Cnut the Great.

[3] A nearby white stone memorial is inscribed with verses from by the Quaker poet, John Scott of Amwell (1730-1783).

When the company was abolished in 1858, the buildings were briefly used as a barracks by the army, but were converted into a public school, Haileybury College, in 1862.

[9] The village has no railway station, the nearest being Ware or St Margarets both of which are on the Hertford East branch line which passes through the parish.