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A small hamlet known to exist from at least 1294 was called Cricklewood by 1321. By the 1750s the Crown Inn (rebuilt in 1889) was providing refreshment for coach travellers. The first signs of Cricklewood becoming an area of town could be seen by the 1850s, with a number of substantial villas and houses along the Edgware Road such as Rockhall Lodge and Rockhall Terrace.

The name East Barnet was in use by 1294, probably so that people would not confuse it with Chipping Barnet further north. The settlement grew up around the crossing of Pymmes Brook. There was a bridge known as Katebrygge in 1406, which no doubt gave its name both to Cat Hill and the later Cat Inn. (The Cat Inn existed from the 18th century until 1955 when it burned down).