The township adjacent to Leigh Creek Railway Station was officially dedicated as the Town of Copley by a proclamation published on 27 August 1891.

[2] The name honours William Copley, who at the time the town was proclaimed was a member of the Legislative Council for the Northern District.

The name Leigh Creek had no legal status by way of dedication, while the town of Copley was proclaimed under the Crown Lands Act and there were many sound reasons why the latter appellative should be adopted for all Government purposes.

It seemed absurd to have a name wholly foreign to the title deeds used for the post office and railway station.

[10] Copley is located within the federal division of Grey, the state electoral district of Stuart and the Pastoral Unincorporated Area of South Australia.