What is now Surf City was originally formed as Long Beach City borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on September 19, 1894, from portions of Stafford Township, based on the results of a referendum held the previous day. The borough was renamed Surf City by a resolution of the Borough Council as of May 26, 1899.[23] The name was changed to avoid confusion with other places on the island and along the Jersey Shore.[24][25]
^Municipal Code, Borough of Surf City. Accessed May 17, 2023.
^Borough of Surf City History, LBI.net. Accessed October 11, 2015. "The residents of the Great Swamp area (now sometimes referred to as Old Mansion) wanted their community to acquire the same prestige and popularity, so in 1875, they elected to call their town Long Beach City. However, the name lasted for only nineteen years because it was too similar to other area names such as Long Beach, Long Branch and Long Island. The name Surf City was selected and has been used since 1894."
^Somerville, George B. The Lure of Long Beach, p. 52. Long Beach Board of Trade, 1914. Accessed October 11, 2015. "Next down the beach from Harvey Cedars is Surf City. The original name of this resort, founded in 1873, was Long Beach City, but the similarity of the name with that of Long Branch caused much confusion in mails, freights and express, and the name was changed to Surf City."