Joseph Cheaney founded the company and moved to the present site in 1896. Joseph's sons Arthur and Harold eventually joined the company, as did "Dick" Cheaney, grandson of the founder. In 1966 Cheaney won the Queen's Industry Award and was sold to Church and Company.

Cousins Jonathan and William Church acquired the company in 2009. Their family has been making fine shoes for five generations and they are fully committed to producing the finest footwear entirely made in England.

The Cheaney shoe craftsmanship has only been refined over the years. This was proven in August 2016, when Cheaney was honoured to announce that it had been awarded a Queen's Award for Enterprise for International Trade for 2016 on the day of the Queen's 90th birthday. The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are the UK's most prestigious business awards, given only to companies or individuals who are outstanding in their field.