Rumson, New Jersey started out with the name Navarumsunk when English settlers purchased the territory from the Lenape Indians in 1663.
Controlled by the English, the Native American name of Navarumsunk was changed to Ramson’s Neck. The name “Ramson’s Neck” then was made more-simple, becoming Rumson.
Popular legend has it that Navarumsunk was purchased from the Lenape Indians in exchange for rum. Hence, “Rum’s son” or “Rumson. Though this is generally treated as folk etymology, a fun tale to tell, yet not true.
Through Revolutionary War times, Ramson’s Neck consisted of today’s Rumson, Fair Haven, Red Bank, Little Silver and Shrewsbury.
Rumson was spun off from Shrewsbury in 1907.
