Mentioned in the Domesday Survey of 1068, Stanton-by-Dale derived its name from stone quarries in the area. During the 13th and 14th centuries the church and much land in the parish was given to nearby Dale Abbey.

On its dissolution in 1538, the abbey's property in Stanton was granted to the Babingtons. In Elizabethan times, this was sold on to Michael Willoughby of Risley who became Lord of the Manor.

The Earl of Stanhope acquired all local land between 1716 and 1778 until it was sold on to the Stanton Ironworks Company in 1912 which is now famous around the world for its cast iron products.

Despite being so close to such a large industrial site, the village has remained remarkably unspoilt. Its church, St Michael and All Angels, is 13th century in origin and contains a very fine modern stained glass window depicting Stanton Works. The Methodist Chapel situated on Dale Road is another fine building.

Buildings are of brick or stone, some retrieved from the ruins of Dale Abbey, two miles to the west and the majority date from the late 18th and 19th centuries. Many were built in connection with the development of the Stanton Ironworks and numbers 16-24 Stanhope Street are of special interest because these were probably the first workers' cottages. The three Short Brothers, who went on to become the world's first aircraft manufacturers, were brought up in the village's Low's Lane.

In addition to the buildings, there are many small features of interest, several of which are unique and have been recognised as County Treasures. They include a boot-scraper on the wall of 29 Main Street, a wheelwright's hearth, the village pound in Quarry Hill and the renovated village pump. The village cross dates from 1632. Although the whole area has undergone little change since the end of the 19th century, this village retains a vitality. The Church, in particular, is very active in Stanton-by-Dale.

With a history of iron founding in Derbyshire stretching back more than 200 years, Stanton PLC is internationally recognised as a pioneer in the design and manufacture of pipes and pipeline systems, building, drainage and highway products using advanced automated processes. Stanton has provided the UK water industry, for example, with a very substantial part of its water supply pipeline systems.