The village was first mentioned in 1491 as ter Herna, and means "near the corner".[4] In 1840, it was home to 509 people. The Dutch Reformed Church dates from 1874. Terherne has become a recreational village with many holiday homes, and during the holidays the population can increase to around 6,000 people.[5]
Before 2014, Terherne was part of the Boarnsterhim municipality and before 1984 it was part of Utingeradeel.[5]