The municipality of Bjugn was established in 1853 when it was separated from the large municipality of Ørland. Initially, Bjugn had 2,903 residents. On 26 March 1870, a royal resolution moved an unpopulated part of Aafjord to Bjugn. On 1 January 1899, the municipality of Bjugn was divided into three municipalities. The western district (population: 1,285) became the municipality of Nes. The southern district (population: 2,166) became the municipality of Skjørn. The rest of the municipality (population: 1,256) remained the (much smaller) municipality of Bjugn.