pilley is listed three times in the domesday book of 1086. before 1066 the lands had been held by edric, alfric small, and algar. by 1086, much of the land had been taken into the new forest with the exception of some land held by alfric small and hugh de quintin. by 1316 the pilley family were established here, as roger de pilley appears as joint owner with john de wereburn of the vill of pilley. during the 15th century record is found of small estates held by various families, and in 1505 the manor was in the possession of roger filey, who left as heir a niece joan, aged nine years. in 1547 john filey sold the manor to john mill. it remained in the mill family into the 17th century, but it then passed through various hands until the late 18th century, when the manorial rights probably lapsed.