From www.bolton.org.uk: "South of Doffcocker and once part of the parish of Deane, before that owned by the Barons of Manchester, the de Grelleys or Greslets. Ancient names on record are Heton or Heten-under-Forest [of Horwich]. The original name was derived from Old English 'heah' meaning high land, and 'tun' a settlement."

In 1830, Heaton was a township in the parish of Deane, 2 miles west of Bolton. The population in 1830 was 826.