The name of Uglich is a derivative of "ugol" ("a corner"). The Volga makes a sharp bend at this place, forming a corner, or "ugol", hence the name.

Founded as early as 937, it was first mentioned in chronicles only in 1148. A local legend says that the town existed in the days of Holy Princess Olga, Equal-to-the Apostoles. In 13th century it served as the capital of the Uglich principality .

In the 15th century the town prospered and even coined its own money. After Ivan the Terrible's death, his son Prince (Tsarevich) Dimitry, the last in the Rurik dynasty, was sent to Uglich with his mother and was killed here at the age of eight in 1591 in uncertain circumstances. His death was not only a tragedy for his family, it was followed by many troubles in Russia, such as internecine conflicts and a Polish invasion. Three false pretenders to the Moscovite throne (one after another) claimed to be Prince Dimitry. They are known as False Dimitrys.

In 1606 the prince was canonized and his relics were tranferred to the Archangel Cathedral in Moscow.

The town itself has always been among the most beloved in old Russia. Legends have come to us about the exiled bell of Uglich, which gave the alarm on the day of the Tsarevich's assassination. Poems are still being written about it.