Historically, Little Bolton formed part of the Hundred of Salford, a judicial division of southwest Lancashire.

It was one of the townships that made up the ancient ecclesiastical parish of Bolton le Moors.

[6] Under provisions of the Poor Relief Act 1662, townships replaced civil parishes as the main units of local administration in Lancashire.

[8] St George's Church, the township's first place of worship, was completed in 1796, and Little Bolton Town Hall was built in 1826.

[10] The northern detached parts of Little Bolton were included in the area of Astley Bridge Local Board of Health in 1864.