The name does not in fact have anything to do with the avian heron but stems from the obsolete word hern, meaning nook or corner of land.

The area lies within the former parkland and grounds of a mansion, Martins Herne (or Heron), built around 1750 but demolished in the early 1980s, which was associated with minor nobility for much of its life, including the 18th-century British general, William Gordon.

Tesco Martins Heron was opened in the 1980s and was extended in 2008, drastically increasing its size and drawing new customers to the area.

However this had been an issue that had been addressed by the local residents many times, and it had taken years for Tesco to receive planning permission to go ahead with the build.

Martins Heron railway station serves commuters travelling to London Waterloo and Reading, Berkshire.