[7][8] The parish of Aasen was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (see formannskapsdistrikt law).

[9] The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the local fjord, Åsenfjorden (Old Norse: Ásfjǫrðr).

The name is identical to the Norwegian word åsen which means "the hill".

At the time of the municipal dissolution, it was part of the Frosta prestegjeld and the Sør-Innherad prosti (deanery) in the Diocese of Nidaros.

Here is a list of people who held this position:[14][15] The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Åsen was made up of 17 representatives that were elected to four year terms.