The village was within the ancient
Hundred of
Totmonslow as
Tene in the
Domesday Book survey of 1086, when it had 15 households. In the 18th century, a tape weaving company was established in the village by John and Nathaniel Philips: in 1747 they bought Tean Hall, a half-timbered building in Upper Tean built in 1613, and it became a base for their company. Tapes were at first produced in tape-weavers' cottages, using
looms provided by the company. From the early 19th century, factories, housing steam-powered
Jacquard looms, were built in the village; the factories, adjacent to Tean Hall, were known as Tean Hall Mills. Manufacturing has ceased in Tean, but the mill buildings, now converted into apartments / flats, remain a notable feature of Upper Tean High Street. ==Transport==