[1] Coven derives from the Anglo-Saxon cofum, the dative plural of cofa, which means either 'a cove' or 'a hut'.

[2] The first record of Coven (as Cove) is in the Domesday Book of 1086; when it was listed as being held by William de Stafford.

[3] Iron-making was carried on at a furnace and two forges near to the village from the seventeenth century or earlier.

During the nineteenth century, John Smith operated a foundry in the village, where he produced stationary steam engines and locomotives.

Both Arriva Midlands and later National Express West Midlands operated hourly services between Wolverhampton and Stafford but these were withdrawn following funding cuts by Staffordshire County Council and the owners of the i54 business park respectively.