Rot an der Rot was first mentioned around the year 1100. In 1126, the monastery Rot, also known as Mönchsrot, was established by French norbertine canons. Since then, the history of the village has been closely linked to that of the monastery, which was the first Premonstratensian settlement in Swabia. Soon the monastery gained influence outside the region through several new monastic foundations.

In 1803, the monastery was secularised and the parish of Mönchsrot was renamed Rot an der Rot. From 1806, the municipality belonged to the kingdom of Württemberg (from 1952 state of Baden-Württemberg). It was not until 1947 that the Premonstratensian canons returned to Rot an der Rot.

Since 1960, the monastery buildings have been used as a youth and education centre.