There is evidence of an Iron Age settlement, but its history as a town begins with the founding of Arbroath Abbey in 1178.
During the Industrial Revolution, it expanded significantly with the flax and then jute industries and the engineering sector.
The new harbor was created in 1839;
The town is notable for the Declaration of Arbroath and the smoke of Arbroath.
Arbroath Football Club holds the world record for most goals scored in a professional football match: 36–0 against Bon Accord of Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup in 1885.
The earliest recorded name was "Aberbrothock", referring to the Brothock Burn, which runs through the town.
The prefix Aber is derived either from the Gaelic word "Obair" or from the earlier British term Aber, denoting the confluence or mouth of a river.
The name Aberbrothok has been spelled in various ways.
In the earliest available manuscripts it is called "Abirbrothok" and "Aberbrothok".
In the Declaration of Arbroath it is referred to as "Abirbrothok".
Early maps show several variants, including Aberbrothok, Aberbrothick, Aberbrothick and Aberbrothwick.
The modern name Arbroath came into general use from the mid-19th century, and the old name had largely been dropped by the time of the first edition of the Ordnance Survey.
However, variants of "Arbroath" have been in use since the 17th century, including "Arbroath" and Aberbreath.