In terms of Proclamation No 33 of 1861 dated 13 May 1861 the district of Stockenström was subdivided for Divisional Council purposes (Cape of Good Hope Government Gazette No 3250, 17 May 1861). The first meeting of the Council was held on Tuesday, 20 August 1861 (4/SKS 1/1/1/1).

On 1 January 1956 the Divisional Councils of Victoria East and Stockenström amalgamated with the Divisional Council of Fort Beaufort (4/SKS 4/1/2 No D/8).

The Municipality of Seymour was constituted on 14 August 1862 under provision of Proclamation No 50 of 1862 in terms of Ordinance No 9 of 1836.

In 1994 Seymour became part of the Eastern Cape Province. It forms part of the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality, one of six local municipalities that falls under the Amathole District Municipality.