Tirurangadi, which was then an important centre of trade, was known by the name Tiruwarankad to the Arabs, during the middle ages. It was ruled by the Zamorin of Calicut during the Middle ages. Later in 18th century, the region came under the Kingdom of Mysore. The Battle of Tirurangadi was a series of engagements that took place between the British army and Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, between 7 and 12 December 1790 at Tirurangadi, during the Third Anglo-Mysore War.

Mysore rule was follwed by British Raj at the end of 18th century CE. Cheranad was a name of an erstwhile province in the kingdom of Zamorin of Calicut, which had included parts of present-day Tirurangadi and Tirur Taluks of Malappuram district in it. Later it became a Taluk of Malabar District, when Malabar came under the British Raj. The headquarters of Cheranad Taluk was the town of Tirurangadi. Later the Taluk was merged with Eranad Taluk.

Tirurangadi was one of the main centres of Malabar Rebellion of 1921. The Tirurangadi Taluk Office, which was an important administrative centre during British Raj, is also a monument of the rebellion.

When Tirur Taluk was formed in 1957, Tirurangadi block became a part of it. Later in 1990's, Vengara and Tirurangadi Revenue blocks were separated to form the modern Tirurangadi Taluk.

Road
This town is well connected with all parts of Kerala and National Highway 66 (India) (Old number NH17) passes through this town. There are two main bus stations situated in the town, one in Chemmad, and another one in Kakkad. The former is for buses plying the nearby areas while the latter is used for long distance buses only.

Rail
The nearest railway station is at Parappanangadi, 7 km away from the town

Air
Calicut International Airport is just 21 km away.