It was first mentioned in Ivan the Terrible's will among towns that had been founded during his reign. Between 1580 and 1772, it frequently changed ownership. In 1623, it was granted Magdeburg rights by the Polish King Władysław IV Vasa. While part of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth it was located in the Połock Voivodeship. It finally passed to Russia during the First Partition of Poland in 1772, when it was included into newly established Pskov Governorate, chartered, and made the seat of Nevesky Uyezd of Pskov Governorate. In 1777, it was transferred to Polotsk Viceroyalty. In 1796, the viceroyalty was abolished and Nevel was transferred to Belarus Governorate; it had been a part of Vitebsk Governorate since 1802.