The borough was formed from five civil parishes: Clapham, Putney, Streatham, Tooting Graveney and Wandsworth.

[1] Before 1900, these parishes, and Battersea until 1888, had been administered by the Wandsworth District Board of Works.

French Huguenot refugees arrived in the area in 1685, and the blue drops represent the tears of their struggle.

At the top is a long boat, with a dragon's head, commemorating 9th century Danish incursions along the river.

The population recorded in the Census was: Constituent parishes 1801–1899 Metropolitan Borough 1900–1961 The borough was divided into nine wards for elections: Balham, Clapham North, Clapham South, Fairfield, Putney, Southfield, Springfield, Streatham, and Tooting.