Uttenreuth was founded in the 12th century during the expansion of the empire around Nuremberg to the Schwabach valley east of Erlangen.

After 1946, Uttenreuth developed into a suburban residential area in the lower Schwabach valley.

A territorial reform in 1978 led to the integration of the neighboring village Weiher.

Towns neighboring Uttenreuth are Dormitz (in the East), Neunkirchen am Brand (Northeast), Marloffstein (North), Spardorf (Northwest) and Buckenhof in the West.

To the South, Uttenreuth borders a large forest, the Sebalder Reichswald.