[1] It is one of the five "Low Villages" – Worlaby, Bonby, Saxby All Saints, Horkstow and South Ferriby – between Brigg and the Humber estuary, so-called because of their position below the northern edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds.

[5] According to A Dictionary of British Place Names, Horkstow in the 12th century was known as 'Horkestowe', probably meaning "shelter for animals or people", from the Old English horc + stōw.

The larger part of the parish and manorial lands was owned by Charles Anderson-Pelham, 3rd Earl of Yarborough, who was lord of the manor.

A mile north of the church is Horkstow Hall, the former home to Rear-Admiral (later vice-admiral) Thomas Shirley (1733–1814), and the possible site of the monastery of Diamond Dale Priory.

[17] In 1756 artist George Stubbs stayed at Manor Farmhouse to pursue analytical examination and meticulous drawing of horse carcasses acquired from nearby tanneries.

In 1796 three sections of a tessellated Roman mosaic pavement depicting Greek mythological figures were discovered by workmen in the grounds of Horkstow Hall.