Chumphon, a province in southern Thailand, has historical roots dating back to 1098 AD, as recorded in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Chronicle held by the National Library. Chumphon was a strategic "twelve-zodiac town" under the jurisdiction of Nakhon Si Thammarat, symbolized by a goat, and served as a northern frontier town in the region. The province’s status was formally recognized in the 1497 legal records of King Borommatrailokkanat's reign, designating Chumphon as a southern city of Ayutthaya until it was officially incorporated into Surat Thani Province in 1916.

The name "Chumphon" likely stems from either the words "chum" (meaning "gathering") and "phon" ("forces" or "blessings"), hinting at its historical role as a military gathering site. An alternate origin theory suggests that the name evolved from the phrase "chum phon," meaning "assembly of forces," reflecting Chumphon’s longstanding role as a military stronghold where armies convened before advancing to battle, including in campaigns against the Burmese and internal uprisings.

Another theory links the name "Chumphon" to the area’s traditional rituals; before mobilizing, military leaders held ceremonies invoking blessings for victory, known as "chum phon" or "gathering blessings." The province’s name may have further connections to the abundant "Chumphon fig" trees growing along the local river, which was later named the Chumphon River, thus lending its name to the surrounding area.