Trbovlje was attested in written sources in 1220–30 as Trefeul (and as Trevůl and Trevol in 1265–67, Triuella in 1302, Trifeul in 1325, Triueal in 1330, and Triuel in 1424).

The name is a feminine plural noun in standard Slovene, but in the local dialect it is declined as a neuter singular adjective.

[5] Coal mining began at Beech Mountain (Slovene: Bukova gora, 547 meters or 1,795 feet) south of the town in 1804.

[7][8] Poor social conditions in Trbovlje led to several strikes by mine workers, and the town became a center of the leftist movement and communist agitation.

[7] On June 1, 1924, there was a clash between workers and members of the Organization of Yugoslav Nationalists that resulted in several fatalities on both sides.

[15] The Trbovlje Student Club organization (Slovene: Klub trboveljskih študentov) holds various events.

Stained glasses, paintings, and the Stations of the Cross were created by the academy-trained painter Lojze Čemažar.

[20] A significant portion of Trbovlje's populace today describe themselves as atheists, in third place behind Catholic and "no response.