The name Leytonstone, originally known as Leyton-Atte-Stone in early documents, may have originated from the large stone standing at the junction of Hollybush Hill and New Wanstead. In the 18th century, an obelisk was mounted on top of this stone, and there have been claims that it could be the remains of a Roman milestone.

Leytonstone station was opened on 22 August 1856 by the Eastern Counties Railway. It later became part of the Great Eastern Railway system in 1862 and then, in 1923, part of the London & North Eastern Railway before being transferred to London Transport in 1947. During the "New Works Programme 1935 - 1940," Leytonstone station underwent major changes as it became the junction of the existing Epping branch, which was newly electrified, and the new tube tunnel running under Eastern Avenue towards Newbury Park. As part of this work, the station was completely reconstructed, and the level crossing at Church Lane was replaced with an underbridge.

Due to wartime priorities during the Second World War, the work at the station was halted in May 1940. Further delays occurred when the station buildings were hit by a German bomb in January 1944. During the war, the new tunnels were repurposed as an aircraft component factory, and the section closest to Leytonstone served as a public air-raid shelter.

The Central Line first served Leytonstone station on 5 May 1947 when it became the temporary terminus of the line. Passengers would change to a steam shuttle onwards to Epping. However, this arrangement ceased on 14 December 1947 when the Central Line’s Underground services were extended to Woodford and Newbury Park, providing direct service to Leytonstone and beyond.