The first written evidence of the settlement, then known as 'Chorlegh', appeared in the 13th century, with the likely derivation coming from ceorl[2] and leah,[3] meaning a peasants' clearing.

In 1830 Chorley consisted of only a few cottages, the De Trafford Arms Inn, a toll bar, and a smithy, straggling along the road from Congleton to Manchester.

The railway company offered free season tickets for 20 years to Manchester businessmen who built houses with a rateable value of more than £50 within a mile of the station.

In 1866, the legal definition of 'parish' was changed to be the areas used for administering the poor laws, and so Chorley became a civil parish.

The parish council generally meets at Lindow Community Primary School on Upcast Lane.