The name Heaton means high town, referring to the area "being situated on hills above the Ouseburn, a tributary of the River Tyne."

For city council elections, the area is split between three wards: Heaton, Manor Park and Ouseburn.

In the 12th century Heaton became part of the Barony of Ellingham granted by Henry I to Nicholas de Grenville.

In 1841 much of the land in Heaton was owned by Armorer Donkin, who on his death in 1851 bequeathed it to his business partner, the industrialist Sir William Armstrong.

Notable landmarks in Heaton include the Wills Building, which was originally constructed in 1946–1950 as a cigarette factory[6] and was redeveloped in 1999 as luxury apartments.

A small part of Heaton, close to Shields Road, falls within the Ouseburn ward.

Heaton became the location of Sir Charles Parsons engineering works producing turbines which was founded in 1889.

[13] The main commercial street in Heaton is Chillingham Road which benefits from local amenities including two small supermarkets, a number of small shops and newsagents, hairdressers, takeaways, cafes, restaurants and public houses.

East End played at the Heaton Junction Ground on Chillingham Road before moving to St James' Park.

Heaton is also home to amateur rugby football club Medicals RFC, based in Cartington Terrace.