Originally Commentry was one rural community of about 20 hamlets scattered throughout the foothills of the Combrailles country, at an altitude of 385 metres.

Commentry began in the Vieux Bourg (Old Town) at a ford in the valley of the river Oeil on an old road coming from Evaux. There has been much discussion on the origins of the town and of its name, with theories ranging from a Greek colony to a Gallo-Roman villa. ‘Commentarius’ is mentioned, also ‘Kombs’ (little valley), and from the old French ‘entraigues’ (between two waters). ‘Commentarius’ is found at the start of the 11th century, followed later by Commentrii, Commenterie and finally Commentry.