Kirkby was named after the Mallory family, most prominently Sir Anketil Malory (1341–1393), a knight and governor of the castle and town of Leicester in the time of
Richard II. In 1564, the population consisted of 25 families. In 1675, Sir Thomas Neale (Noell, Noel, etc.) became 3rd Baronet of Kirkby Mallory and inherited Kirkby Manor from his father Baronet William Neale. In 1696, Thomas's brother, Sir John Neale (father of
Clobery and
William), left a rent roll listing the tenants and their rents and referring to Sir John's mansion house or hall with attached woods worth 3,000 pounds and "a large park, very well wooded, and stocked with deer". According to Nichols, Kirkby was enclosed in 1771, the award listing and naming
Edward Wentworth as Lord of the Manor. The parish was notable for its fine new hall, rebuilt in the 18th century by the Lord Viscount Wentworth but demolished in 1952.
Ada Byron (born 10 December 1815), daughter of
Lord Byron and colleague of
Charles Babbage, lived in the now demolished Kirkby Hall during her childhood with her mother,
Annabella Milbanke. On 1 April 1935 the parish was abolished and merged with
Peckleton; part also went to
Newbold Verdon. ==References==