The name "Tanur(Thanni-ur)" is derived from the Malayalam language. "Thanni" refers to the Bastard myrobalan tree, Terminalia bellirica, while "ur" refers to the village. This was once a Portuguese colony. It is believed that St. Francis Xavier visited Tanur in 1546 AD.Vettathunad, also known as the Kingdom of Tanur, was a coastal city-state kingdom in the Malabar Coast. It was ruled by the Vettathu Raja, who was a vassal of the Zamorin of Calicut. Parts of Tirurangadi, Tirur, and Ponnani Taluks were ruled by the Vettathu Rajas. Vettathunad was known for its trade relationship with the Arab merchants in the medieval period. Tanur was a major port town in the Malabar Coast during the medieval period. The Kshatriya family of the Vettathu Rajas became extinct with the death of the last Raja on 24 May 1793. It was a part of the Malabar District during the British rule.

Tanur railway station, in the heart of the town, is located 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Malappuram on the Shoranur - Mangalore Section of the Southern Railway. The nearest airport is Calicut International Airport, which is approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) from the town.