The name Altrincham comes from the old English meaning the homestead of Adhere's people. Although there is evidence that a Roman road ran through Altrincham, there is no evidence that the Romans ever settled here and Altrincham is not named in the Doomsday Book.

Altrincham as a medieval town was probably the creation of the Baron of Dunham Massey, the town was given a Royal Charter for a market by Edward 1 in 1290 and Baron Massey created his own Borough Charter a short time later. The Royal Charter gave the right to hold a Tuesday market and later Fridays and Saturdays were added at a later date and these market days still exist into the present.

Around 1340, the lands of Altrincham passed to the Earl of Stamford and the Stamfords were still influential within the town until the late 20th Century with the Stamford name found on a number of buildings and roads within the town today.

In the 15th century the town was administered by the Court Leet, they met every three weeks to administer a petty offences court, they also monitored the well being of Altrincham, being the unpaid equivalent of the Police, council officials and health and safety officers of their day. The Court Leet also appointed the Town Crier and they are still active in the town today and can be seen in their ceremonial robes along with the Town Crier at special events around Altrincham.

Altrincham Town Hall was built in 1900 to house the Altrincham Urban District Council which was formed in 1894. Altrincham became part of the larger Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council in 1974 and in 2006 the Altrincham Town Hall was refurbished to create a contemporary community facility and venue for meetings whilst maintaining its Victorian exterior.