The name of the village has changed many times during its history and there are two theories behind its origin. The main (and accepted) theory is that the original name was Dudda's Tun, meaning the farmstead (manor or dwelling place) of a person or tribe called Dudda. A second theory is that the name relates to the appearance of the site: 'Dodden' or 'Dod(d)' meant 'to make the top or head of anything blunt or bare' in middle English; similarly, 'dodd' or 'dodle' meant 'a lump, clump or bunch' in Fresian. These interpretations could relate to the wooded hills around the area.

One of the unique aspects of Doddington is the family run butchers shop. S.W Doughty's has changed very little since it was built in 1789 by Henry Norrington. The hooks from which sides of meat once hung still remain under the front canopy. Shortly after the First World War the present family took over the shop and continued the tradition of high quality butchers. The Doughty's also run the abattoir attached to the shop and this is now the only abattoir in Swale specialising in local beef and lamb from stock mostly within a mile of Doddington. Thus it is extremely likely that the meat you buy here will be part of the process of managing the Kent Downs through grazing of the valuable chalk grassland. The shop is renowned for the quality of its meat, particularly sausages for which it has won several prizes. Since the closure of the village shop the butchers shop also sells other local produce and English cheese.

A walk around the village will take in many interesting buildings including the Victorian village school, Court Lodge Farm and The Corner House which was the village shop at the turn of the century.

The Chequers pub in the village is one of the few remaining traditional pubs with its old public bar, pool table and open fires. Homecooked food includes sausages from Doughty butchers. It is reputed that a smugglers tunnel links the pub to the church !

The Church is rather unusually dedicated to the 'Beheading of John the Baptist' and the village has a resident vicar. Many clubs and groups meet in the village hall and the village pantomime is so successful that this year saw another 4 sell out performances for the third year running!

Doddington also has a petrol and car-servicing garage, a popular annual firework display on the school playing field and village show. More recently a pilot late night bus route to Faversham, meandering through Doddington, Newnham and Eastling, has started to operate on Friday and Saturdays. If you are visiting the area Doddington Place Gardens are open to the public from Easter to the end of September and also hosts opera in the garden, vintage car displays and plant fairs.

The village has produced a village appraisal and is now working on a traffic calming project with support from the Kent Downs AONB Unit.