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The Amboys are a pair of municipalities inMiddlesex County,New Jersey, both of which have the wordAmboy in their name. The two municipalities are theCity of Perth Amboy and theCity of South Amboy, located across from each other on theRaritan Bay.
While each community has its own independent government, and the two municipalities have no shared governance (other than Middlesex County), the term is often used to refer to the area, including on highway exit signs. Signage for Exit 11 on theNew Jersey Turnpike, exit 129 on theGarden State Parkway southbound, and exit 30 onRoute 18 northbound refer to "The Amboys" as a destination.
Perth Amboy's history dates back to 1651 when August Herman bought a point of land from theLenni LenapeNative Americans. The land, which was called "Ompoge" by the indigenous people, gradually changed its name to "Emboyle", then "Amboyle". When the city was incorporated in 1683, settlers began to call the land "Ambo" or "Amboy Point", and finally "Amboy." The name means "place resembling a bowl."[1]
In 1686, when the settlement became the capital ofEast Jersey, Perth was added to the name in honor of one of the Proprietors under the Royal grant, theJames Drummond, 1st Duke of Perth.[2]
For other groups of similarly named municipalities in New Jersey, see:
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