First called Gressgrava and noted in the Domesday Book, changed its name to Kesgrave in the late 15th C. A very small settlement until the 20th C. Declared a town in January 2000.
Martlesham Aerodrome, a mile from Kesgrave was an significant RAF base during WW II. It closed in 1979. In December 1959 a F-100 SuperSabre flying from the base crashed onto the village.