One of Overton's earliest appearances in history was as one of the first targets of the revolt of 1294-95, led by Madog ap Llywelyn against the forces of the English King .
The village is situated in an exclave of the traditional county of Flintshire known as Maelor Saesneg (), sometimes called "Flintshire Detached", and was the administrative centre of that part of the administrative county between 1889 and 1974.