The township was named for Orville James Victor, a journalist and author who lived in the area.
Upper Saddle River formed on November 22, 1894 (after a public referendum held on November 20, 1894) from area taken from both Orvil and Hohokus Townships.
[1] A further portion of the township was taken to create the borough of Orvil (now Ho-Ho-Kus) on March 8, 1905.
[1] On April 7, 1919, a council of citizens voted to incorporate as the borough of Waldwick from the remaining portions of Orvil Township.
[1] With the creation of the borough of Waldwick, Orvil Township was dissolved, after 33 years in existence.