 Eltmann was granted rights as a town in 1335 during the reign of Holy Roman Emperor Ludwig the Bavarian.The first use of the spelling "Eltmann" appears in records from 1456, but the spelling was not finally standardized until the 17th century.Although the town proper was largely spared any destruction during World War Two, a nearby ball bearing plant was attacked by American heavy bombers of the 92nd Bomb Group (H) on July 21, 1944, and severely damaged.