The village is recorded in the Domesday Book as "Brennigston" and at the time was the property of Merleswein the Sheriff.

The King passed ownership to Count Alan of Brittany, who made Robert of Moutiers the local landlord.

[4] The Robinson Almshouses in Main Street, later partly used as a school, were built in 1680 and are Grade II* listed.

[3] According to the 2001 UK Census, the population of the village was 244 in 100 households, of which 196 were over sixteen years of age and 124 of those were in employment.

The school admits pupils from several of the nearby communities including Melmerby; Wath; Norton Conyers; East Tanfield; Middleton Quernhow; Sutton Howgrave; Kirklington; Carthorpe; Theakston and Exelby.