Tarleton is derived from the
Old Norse Tharaldr, a personal name and the
Old English tun, a farmstead or enclosure. The township was recorded as Tharilton in 1246 and subsequently Tarleton. Tarleton is mentioned in the
Feet of Fines in 1298. A local family with the Tarleton name either was named or gave its name to the early settlement by the reign of
Richard II. The manor of Tarleton was part of the Montbegon or Hornby
fee and divided into two
moieties: two
ploughlands were granted to John Malherbe and the remainder to the Banastres of
Bretherton. In 1298 John Banastre of
Bank held eight
oxgangs of land in Tarleton. The Banastres held land in Tarleton of the Montbegons in 1526. This moiety of the manor passed to the Lilfords. The other moiety was granted to Roger de Douay, and then to Gilbert de Notton who gave
Cockersand Abbey one ploughland. This portion, Holmeswood, was eventually acquired by the Heskeths of
Rufford and sold to the Lilfords around 1886, uniting both portions. In the 19th century a labourer discovered a small leaden box without a lid containing about a hundred silver coins whilst digging in a copse. They were possibly from the 17th century. ==Governance==