The village name is Anglo Saxon in origin, and means 'Dunna's estate'. In the Domesday Book of 1086 it was listed as Danitone.
There was an ancient mansion house in this parish that belonged to the Mayne family for many years (they were lords of the manor in 1086). This has long since disappeared, however the groundworks of the ancient manor still remain and are a goldmine of archealogical finds. There was also once a fortified building, Dinton Castle, though this was contstructed much later (in 1769). The latter building also stands in ruins, and is at risk of being demolished altogether for safety purposes.
A notable resident of Dinton in the Seventeenth century was the Dinton Hermit, who lived in a cave in the village. He was reputed to be the executioner who beheaded King Charles I on January 30 1649.
Within the parish border lay the hamlets of Westlington, Ford, Upton, Waldridge, Gibraltar and Aston Mullins.
There was also anciently a hamlet called Moreton in this parish, though today only the groundworks and ponds remain.