Hindley is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan in Greater Manchester, England. Lying three miles (5 km) east of Wigan it covers an area of 1044 hectares. Historically in Lancashire, Hindley (which includes Hindley Green) borders the towns of Ince-in-Makerfield, Aspull, Westhoughton, Atherton and the former borough of Leigh. In 2001, Hindley had a population of 23,457, increasing to 28,000 at the 2011 Census. It forms part of the wider Greater Manchester Urban Area.HistoryToponymyThe name Hindley is derived from the Old English hind and leah, meaning a "clearing frequented by hinds or does".The town is first recorded as Hindele in 1212 and then variously as "Hindeleye", "Hyndeley",Hindelegh, "Hyndelegh". The first recorded use of its current spelling, Hindley, was in 1479.Early historyHindley was one of 15 berewicks of the royal manor of Newton before the Norman Conquest in 1066. After the conquest it formed part of the Barony of Makerfield. The area was held by free tenants until 1330 when Robert Langton, Baron Makerfield, gave the lordship of the manor to his younger son. His descendants were lords of the manor until 1765 when it was sold to the Duke of Bridgewater.