[2] Its place name reflects its position - first recorded in the Domesday book of 1086 as 'Contone', from Old English cumb - a narrow valley or deep hollow ('cumb' is likely a continuation in use or a loan word from Brythonic cwm (Welsh) or cum (Cornish), meaning 'valley'),[3] and Old English tūn - a farmstead or fenced place.

In the late 19th-early 20th century, Compton was home of a distinguished local artist Joseph Vickers de Ville (1856–1925).

Much of the area was built in the latter half of the 20th century, though Compton does retain some of its older buildings such as several houses on The Holloway.

At present, Compton Park campus is one of two Business Schools of the University of Wolverhampton; the other is in Telford.

The Sir Jack Hayward Training Ground of Wolverhampton Wanderers football club is in Compton Park.