The name of the municipality came from the term "
Mayisingal," an Ilocano term which means "to be moved." It was applied when the belltower was moved from a previous location to its current site. Captain
Juan de Salcedo had a hand in founding the municipality; but before he reached the current site of the poblacion, he came to a village called
Malongon, about half a kilometer to the south. The leader of the village refused Salcedo's request to establish a municipality there. He instead suggested that Salcedo establish the town a half kilometer north of the village, and the belltower be moved to that site, hence the origin of the town's name. ==History==