[3] On 1 January 1874, an unpopulated area of Fjotland was transferred to neighboring Sirdal municipality.

On 1 January 1903, a small area of Sirdal (population: 63) was transferred to Fjotland.

[3] The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the old Fjotland farm (Old Norse: Fjósaland).

The first element is the plural genitive case of the word fjós which means "cow barn".

[5] The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Fjotland was made up of representatives that were elected to four year terms.