[3] The villages name means 'Risa's people' or perhaps, 'Brushwood place' or 'people of the brushwood'.

[4] The lords of the manor were the De Rising family, followed by the Southwell family, owners of Woodrising Hall, including Sir Richard Southwell (d. 1563) whose tomb is within the church, Sir Robert Southwell (d. 1598), and Thomas Southwell who sold the family estates to Francis Crane.

The old Hall was demolished in the 18th-century leaving a moated site.

Queen Elizabeth stayed at the Hall for four days in 1578.

On 1 April 1935 the parish was abolished and merged with Cranworth.