Archeological finds suggest that the town was founded in the 13th century. At that time it was the only real harbour town along the Danish west coast, being sheltered from the North Sea by the wall of Holmsland Dunes (Holmsland Klit).
In the 17th century the exit out of Ringkøbing Fjord started moving south, caused by wind and tide; Ringkøbing was then cut off from the sea. It was not until the beginning of the 20th century that a new opening to the sea was created at the town of Hvide Sande, in nearby Holmsland municipality. This enabled boats to come to Ringkøbing again from the North Sea.
The name Ringkøbing means "The market town near Rindum". Already in the 11th century, a church was built in the small village Rindum. The village is probably even older, and there has been found proof of settlements dating as far back as the 6th century
