Ducklington has existed as a manor or parish since the middle of the 10th-century when it was granted by King Edgar to one of his ministers, and although the parish boundary has been altered over the centuries, the present parish retains the majority of the land granted by King Edgar.
There is evidence for a much earlier occupation and Bronze Age pottery has been found to the east of the church, and there is evidence of round barrows of the same period nearby. Excavations to the south of the church have identified Roman occupation seventh century graves have been discovered in land to the east of the church. It is likely that the present church of St. Bartholomew is built on top of an earlier Saxon structure. but there are no surviving buildings of the pre-medieval period and St Bartholomew’s dates from the late 12th century.