'The Tangier Regiment' was raised on 14th October 1661 to garrison the new British acquisition of the Port of Tangier, which was part of Catherine of Braganza's dowry when she married King Charles II. The Regiment served in North Africa until 1684. Tangier was evacuated when costs of maintaining the garrison became too high, the regiment then returned to England.

After the return of The 1st Tangier Regiment it became The Queen's Regiment, possibly due to its loyal service to King Charle's II and his wife. In 1685 on the death of King Charles II it was redesignated the Queen Dowager’s Regiment of Foot. Between 1685 and 1703 the Regiment became involved with further action at home with Sedgemoor in 1685, Ireland in 1689 and then in 1692 to Flanders to participate in the 'War of the grand alliance'.  In 1703 whilst involved with the War of the Spanish Succession the regiment was awarded the title “Royal”, and mottoes “Pristinae Virtutis Memor” (mindful of former glory) and “Vel Exuviae Triumphant.” (Victorious even in adversity).

In 1714 as King George I came to the throne it was renamed 'Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wale’s Own Regiment of Foot' and again in 1727 following the death of King George I it was renamed  '2nd or The Queen's Own Royal Regiment of foot' when Princess Caroline became Queen.

1751 saw the regiment named to The Queen's (Second) Royal Regiment of Foot. This title it held for a number of years until the Childers Reforms of 1881.

In 1857 the regiment had already formed a second battalion and 1859 the Surrey rifle volunteer corps where also raised. 1881 saw the two Battalions become the 1st and 2nd battalions of The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment.

This title remained through the first World War (Which at one point had the regiment with 33 Battalions at home and abroad) until 1920 when the regiment became The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey).

The regimental depot at Stoughton Barracks Guildford was established in 1873 and completed in 1876, designed to house 300 Queensmen and also be the headquarters of the 2^nd Surrey Militia when they were called up for training. Its first title was 'The 48^th Brigade Depot', but this was abolished in 1881 when The Queen's (Second) Royal Regiment became The Queen's Royal (West Surrey) Regiment. A married quarters block was built opposite the barracks in 1879 and by 1881, 500 men, women and children were living in Stoughton Barracks.