The name Withington is derived from Withyton, Saxon for a settlement in a marshy area where willows or wythes grew. Withingtons name could also be derived from a Saxon Chieftain Widdingas who may have lived locally. In the early 13th Century, Withington was an independent Manor whose Lord was William de Withington. By the end of that century however, Withington became a submanor of the Barony of Manchester, a larger area stretching as far as Denton. The Manor changed hands several times before being acquired by the Egertons of Tatton, the last Lords of the Manor, but it remained a rural hamlet with virtually no significant industrial or commercial activity until the middle of the 19th Century. With the establishment of the the Manchester and Wilmslow Turnpike Trust, the construction of Cheadle Bridge, and the opening of Palatine Road in 1862, communications improved vastly and Withington began to expand rapidly in the wake of Manchesters prolific industrial growth. This was further aided by opening of the Midland Railway in 1880. Possibly Withingtons first urban development was the construction of Queen St and Albert St in 1859. The Egerton Estate was gradually acquired from 1887 onwards until virtually all the open rural areas were controlled. In 1904, Withington was incorporated into the City of Manchester. The original character of suburban Withington was based on large private houses set in treelined streets but changed in the 20th Century as single occupancy of the large properties was replaced by multiple occupancy.

Website: http://www.withington.net/