Montclair was first formed as a township on April 15, 1868, from portions of Bloomfield Township,[22] so that a second railroad could be built to Montclair. After a referendum held on February 21, 1894, Montclair was reincorporated as a town, effective February 24, 1894.[23] It derives its name from the French mont clair, meaning “clear mountain” or “bright mountain.”[24][25]

Teaneck was created on February 19, 1895, by an act of the New Jersey Legislature from portions of Englewood Township and Ridgefield Township, both of which are now defunct (despite existing municipalities with similar names), along with portions of Bogota and Leonia.[24] Independence followed the result of a referendum held on January 14, 1895, in which voters favored incorporation by a 46–7 margin.[25] To address the concerns of Englewood Township’s leaders, the new municipality was formed as a township, rather than succumbing to the borough craze sweeping across Bergen County at the time.[25] On May 3, 1921, and again on June 1, 1926, portions of what had been Teaneck were transferred to Overpeck Township.[26]

Marlboro Township was formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on February 17, 1848, from portions of Freehold Township.[22] The township was named for the marl beds found in the area.[23]

Kearny is named after Civil War general Philip Kearny.[23][24] It began as a township formed by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 8, 1867, from portions of Harrison Township. Portions of the township were taken on July 3, 1895, to form East Newark. Kearny was incorporated as a town on January 19, 1899, based on the results of a referendum held two days earlier.[25] The Arlington section of town was named for Arlington Station on the Erie Railroad at the Arlington Mill plant, owned by Arlington Mills of Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Hillsborough Township was originally created by Royal charter issued May 31, 1771, which was revoked and revised on September 12, 1771.[20] It was incorporated on February 21, 1798 by the New Jersey Legislature Township Act of 1798 as one of New Jersey’s original group of 104 townships. Portions of the township were taken to form the boroughs of Millstone (May 14, 1894) and Manville (April 1, 1929).[20][21] The township’s name may have come from an earlier name of “Hillsbury”, though it may have been named for Wills Hill, 1st Marquess of Downshire who was the Earl of Hillsborough.[22]

Linden was originally formed as a township on March 4, 1861 from portions of Elizabeth, Rahway and Union Township. Portions of the township were taken to form Cranford (March 14, 1871), Linden Borough (March 30, 1882) and Roselle (December 20, 1894). Linden was incorporated as a city by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on January 1, 1925, replacing both Linden Township and Linden Borough, based on the results of a referendum held on November 8, 1923.[21] The city’s name derives from linden trees brought from Germany.[22]

Berkeley Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 31, 1875, from portions of Dover Township (now Toms River Township). Sections of the township were taken to form Seaside Park (March 3, 1898), Seaside Heights (February 6, 1913), Beachwood (March 22, 1917), Ocean Gate (February 28, 1918) Pine Beach (February 26, 1925), South Toms River (March 28, 1927) and Island Beach (June 23, 1933, reabsorbed into Berkeley Township in 1965).[22] The township was named for John Berkeley, 1st Baron Berkeley of Stratton, one of the founders of the Province of New Jersey.[23]

The area that would become North Brunswick had been settled by the Lenape Native Americans. European settlers from France and The Netherlands acquired land in 1772 from the Lenape that would become North Brunswick.[24]

Geographically, the township is part of the South Jersey region. In 2020, Mount Laurel was ranked 16th in Money magazine’s list of the 50 best places to live in America, citing a kid-friendly environment, affordable housing, and easy access to Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore.[21]

Manchester Township was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1865, from portions of Dover Township (now Toms River Township). Portions of the township were taken to form Lakehurst on April 7, 1921.[21] The township was named by William Torrey for Manchester, England.[22][23]