The name Kahuta was derived from "Koh" a local medicinal tree (Look the leaves as Oliven) and "Boota".

During the period of British rule, Kahuta Tehsil increased in population and importance.

The whole of the tahsil except the south-west corner lies in the hills, which in the north reach an elevation of over 6,000 feet.

After the independence of Pakistan from British rule in 1947, the minority Hindus and Sikhs faced attacks and massacres by the Muslims so they migrated to India.

[citation needed] The tribes living in Kahuta include the Janjua Rajput, Shaikhs, Awans, Dhund Abbasi, Jasgam Abbasi, Sudhan, Syed, Satti, Gakkhar, Gujjar, Khattar, Qazi, Janhal, Mughal, Chauhan, Siddiqui and Dhanyal.