Historically a part of Lancashire, Whitefield has been suggested as lying on the path of an ancient Roman road leading from "Mamucium" (Manchester) in the south to "Bremetennacum" (Ribchester) in the north. Throughout the Middle Ages, Whitefield was a division of the township of Pilkington, itself a part of the parish of Prestwich-cum-Oldham and hundred of Salford. Pilkington and Whitefield have historic associations with the Earls of Derby. Farming was the main industry of this rural area, with locals supplementing their incomes by hand-loom woollen weaving in the domestic system.