In 1243 Chorlton was named Cholreton, which may have come from a Old English word meaning "farmstead of peasants or freemen". In 1555 it became Chorlton-cum-Hardy after joining with neighboring lands called Hardy, which is probably from the old English meaning "hard island" From British History online - In 1275 there's a reference about a past relative of mine, Henry de Chetham (nowadays spelt Cheetham) and John Grelley being defendants to a charge of assault in Chorlton - Hooligans of the 13th century.