The name Tilehurst comes from tigel or tile and hurst or wooded hill. Tile manufacturing was present in the district until recent times.

• 1167: First mention as Tigelhurst
• 1189: Founding of St. Michael's Church, Tilehurst
• 14th century: Now Tygelhurst
• 16th century: Tylehurst
• Later Tilehurst

William Lloyd, the late 17th century bishop of St Asaph, Lichfield and Coventry, and Worcester was born in Tilehurst in 1627.