In 1212 the manor was held by Richard de Orrell but became divided and was acquired by the Hollands of Upholland and descended to the Lovels and subsequently to the Earls of Derby.

A tramroad modelled on John Blenkinsop's railway at Middleton was built in 1812 from the pits to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Crooke.

The original Orrell 'post', signifying a halt on the turnpike road, is still outside the Stag public house at a crossroads[citation needed].

[11] With the coming of local government reforms in 1974, Orrell's urban district status was abolished and the area was amalgamated into the newly formed Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, in Greater Manchester.

[12] Orrell forms part of the Makerfield parliamentary constituency, which is represented in the House of Commons by Labour Member of Parliament, Yvonne Fovargue, replacing Ian McCartney who retired at the 2010 election.

Wish FM discontinued its broadcast in 2020 when it merged with a number of other local stations to form Greatest Hits Radio North West.

[citation needed] It was proposed that the Orrell area (Junction 26 of the M6) be the starting point of the A5225 Wigan and Hindley bypass road linking the M6 and the M58 with the M61 at Bolton.

The area is the home of South Lancashire & Cheshire Division 2 side Orrell Rugby Union Football Club.

[20] The senior and junior academy sides of Wigan RLFC[21] rugby league club play their home games at Edge Hall Road.

[22] Orrell left Edge Hall Road at the end of the 2006–07 season and began playing at St John Rigby College.