It was created to cover the western section of the ancient borough of Southwark and the parish of Newington.

In common with the rest of inner London, the borough experienced a steady decline in population throughout its existence.

In 1930 these four were combined into a single civil parish called Southwark, which was conterminous with the metropolitan borough.

[5] Newington Vestry believed that the borough should bear their name as they were the "predominant partner" in the merger in terms of population, acreage, rateable value and municipal property, and that the council was likely to be based in their district.

The name "Walworth" was also proposed as the area had Roman associations and also appeared in early written histories.

[7] It included the areas now known as: The coat of arms of the borough council were officially granted on 14 June 1902.

The red rose represents St Saviour's, the white lily Newington, the Southwark Cross commemorates St George (also used by the Bridge House Estates), and the stag's head is for the parish of Christchurch.