In 1086, most of Illston on the Hill was held by Hugh de Grandmesnil; 9 carucates of ploughland less one virgate. His holding also included 20 acres of meadow. The remainder was held by Ingald, part of it in alms from the king (2 carucates and 1 virgate) and the rest (from Robert de Bucy (half a carucate). In 1231 an estate at Illston was granted to Creake Priory (later abbey) in Norfolk, and that house held most of Illston until 1507, when all the monks died in an epidemic and its lands reverted to the crown.
The church was in 1220 a chapel under the joint ownership of Nosely and Carlton Curlieu churches, both nearby.