 Preston-on-the-Hill became a civil parish in the 1870s but in 1936 the civil parish was named Preston Brook.At the time of the Hearth Tax in 1664 the population was 130, and it probably remained at about that level until the opening of the canal.By the time of the first headcount of population in 1801 the number was 333, rising to 594 in 1851 but dropping back to 454 in 1901 as the canal became less active.