The history of Naas is long and colorful. The name is believed to have three possible origins, from which Nás na Ríogh meaning “Place of Assembly of the Kings” is now used.
According to Bardic tradition, Lewy of the Long Hand founded Naas, and from the beginning it was an important hub. For nearly 700 years the place was the seat of the Kings of Leinster. St. Patrick is said to have visited Naas in 448 and baptised the children of King Dunling.
Strongbow granted the Barony of Naas to Maurice Fitzgerald with the arrival of Normans in 1170. The grant was also confirmed by Henry II in 1177 for his son. William FitzMaurice. Many changes were made under the Anglo-Normans, for example the parish church dedicated to St. Patrick or local St. Corban was reconstructed and re-dedicated to the Welsh patron saint, David.
The first Corporational chart was awarded to Naas by King Henry IV in 1409. Further powers were granted to Naas 4 years later, in 1413 when King Henry V allowed the collection of tolls at all entrances to the town. More charts were authorized by Queen Elizabeth I in 1568, by James I in 1609, Charles I in 1628 and by Charles II in 1671. The city was under authority of these charts until an Act of Parliament dissolved the Corporation in 1840.
The city was also under the jurisdiction of the Grand Jury in the years of 1840-1854, Town Commissioners between 1854-1900 and since then has been under the control of the Urban District Council.