Worsley History
Worsley is first mentioned in a Pipe roll of 1195–6 as Werkesleia, in the claim of a Hugh Putrell to a part of the fee of two knights in nearby Barton-upon-Irwell and Worsley. There are many variations on the name; Werkesleia, 1195; Wyrkedele, 1212; Whurkedeleye, c. 1220; Worketley, 1254; Worcotesley, Workedesle, 1276; Wrkesley, Wrkedeley, Workedeley, 1292; Wyrkeslegh, Workesley, 1301; Worsley, 1444; and "Workdisley alias Workesley alias Worseley", 1581. The spelling of the name, in early documents, indicates a Saxon origin. "Ge-Weore", the Old English form of the name, means "The cleared place which was cultivated or settled." The Anglo-Saxon Chronicles contain no references to Worsley.

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Modern history
Under the Housing Act 1919, large overspill estates were built by the council for veterans of World War I, but a larger change to the area came after the end of the Second World War, when the City of Salford was forced to rehouse many of its inhabitants. With little land left, 4,518 new houses were built in the Urban District by the Worsley Project. 18,000 people were rehoused under the scheme, which included new facilities, shops, and schools. Another housing estate was built during the 1970s to the north of Worsley Green.

In 1944, during World War II, a flying bomb landed on a house near Worsley Dam. An Anti Aircraft Operations Room (AAOR) was built in the 1950s. Although unused the building still exists, in wooded land to the west of the town, on the site of the former Worsley New Hall.