The Town of Lincoln came into existence on January 1, 1970; a municipal corporation created by the Legislature of the Province of Ontario through the amalgamation of the Town of Beamsville with the Township of Clinton, and the annexation of approximately half of the Township of Louth.
Through a vote of the citizens within the area comprising the new town, "Lincoln" was chosen to be its name. This name perpetuates that of the former County of Lincoln, which was abolished by the Province of Ontario when it established the new town through the enactment of the Regional Municipality of Niagara Act.