[7] The place is first mentioned in existing historical records in 1576 ("Porsgrund") by the writer Peder Claussøn Friis in his work Concerning the Kingdom of Norway (see the article: Norwegian literature).

He writes: "Two and a half miles from the sea, the Skien River flows into the fjord, and that place is called Porsgrund."

The name was probably given during medieval times to the then swampy area by the nuns of Gimsøy Abbey, who went here to collect the shrub pors ("Bog Myrtle").

The blazon is "Gules and azure, a bend between a bog myrtle branch and an anchor argent" (Norwegian: Delt av sølv skråbjelke.

This means the arms have a red (above) and blue (below) field (background) and the charge is a diagonal bend (stripe) with an anchor below it and the branch of a bog myrtle plant above it.

The charge has a tincture of argent which means it is commonly colored white, but if it is made out of metal, then silver is used.

[12][13][14] In the 18th century, Porsgrunn was the home of some of Norway's most influential families at the time, such as the Aalls, Cappelens, Løvenskiolds, and Deichmans.

The sculpture, which is one of Jørleif Uthaug's best known works, has a nautical theme in honor of Porsgrunn's maritime history.

It is part of a cluster of municipalities in southern Telemark that constitute the Grenland area of Norway.

The peninsula of Herøya, southeast of the main city centre, was originally an industrial park and has grown into a suburb of Porsgrunn.

The municipal council (Kommunestyre) of Porsgrunn is made up of 49 representatives that are elected to four year terms.