It is located on the southeast shore of Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey’s largest lake and a major recreational resource.

The borough’s name is of Lenape Native American origin, deriving from “Mënàskunk” meaning “Place to Gather Grass or Reeds”.[21] Manasquan, Maniquan, Mannisquan, Manasquam, Squan, and Squan Village are variations on the original pronunciation and spelling. The borough’s name has also been described as deriving from “Man-A-Squaw-Han” meaning “stream of the island of squaws”,[22] “an island with enclosure for squans”,[23] “island door”[24] or “point” / “top”.[25] Manasquan, Maniquan, Mannisquan, Manasquam, Squan, and Squan Village are variations on the original pronunciation and spelling.

Andover was incorporated as a township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 11, 1864, from portions of Newton Township, which was split up on that date and dissolved. Portions of the township were taken to form Fredon Township (February 24, 1904) and Andover borough (March 25, 1904). Portions of the township were ceded to Newton town in both 1869 and 1927.[20]

Logan Township was originally formed as West Woolwich Township by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 7, 1877, from portions of Woolwich Township. That name lasted just less than a year, as the name was changed to Logan Township as of March 6, 1878.[19]

It is part of the New York metropolitan area, as well as the larger New York–Newark–Bridgeport, NY-NJ-CT-PA Combined Statistical Area. The township may be named for Mendham, Suffolk, England,[21][22] or it may derive from the Native American word mendom (meaning “raspberry”) or for an Earl of Mendham.[23][24]

The Lenape Native Americans who settled on the banks of the Rancocas Creek in what is present-day Hainesport called the area Sandhickney.[20] The first European settlers were Quakers who arrived in 1677.[20]

Woodcliff Lake is also the name of the reservoir that lies primarily within the borough, with a small portion at the southeastern edge located in neighboring Hillsdale.[23][24]

Little Silver was established with a King’s land grant in 1663 and settled in 1667.[20] Little Silver was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 19, 1923, from portions of Shrewsbury Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 28, 1923.[21]

Oceanport was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on April 6, 1920, from portions of Eatontown Township (now Eatontown), based on the results of a referendum held on May 11, 1920.[20]

Morris Plains was incorporated as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1926, from portions of Hanover Township, based on the results of a referendum held on April 15, 1926.[20][21] The borough’s name comes from Lewis Morris, colonial governor of New Jersey.[22][23]