Sawley comes form the Anglo-Saxon word Salloe meaning clearing amongst the willows.

Evidence of Roman occupation, thought to be a fort, has been discovered to the east of All Saints Church.

After the Romans left in AD 410, the area was raided by Angles and Saxons who travelled up the Trent during the 6th and 7th centuries.

At the time of the Domesday Book, Sawley was the most important village in the area. In 1259, Sawley constituted a town and received the right to hold a market every Tuesday and a fair for three days at Michaelmas.

Up to the 18th and early 19th centuries, the people of Sawley and neighbouring Long Eaton were employed in agriculture and associated trades.
At the end of the 18th century the nature of the community was changing to manufacturing with an emphasis on the hosiery trade.

The river and canal also provided employment through boat-building, barges and warehouse work.
The starting of the machine-made lace industry in Long Eaton in the 1830's, coinciding with the opening of the Midland Counties Nottingham to Derby Railway line in the town led to the rapid growth of Long Eaton to the detriment of Sawley.

The oldest building in the village is All Saints Church which dates from the 13th century and has remains of Saxon and Norman work. The restored medieval stalls in the chancel, the medieval monuments to the de Bothe family and a pulpit dating from 1636 are its most notable features.

Bothe Hall which stands opposite the church in its own grounds was built between 1660 and 1680. Inside its features include exposed ceiling beams and a Regency staircase.

The hall was formerly the home of the de Bothe family, various members of which achieved high office in the church including two archdeacons.