Karmėlava is one of the oldest settlements in Lithuania. Karmelava Estate was mentioned since the late 15th century. The first church in Karmėlava was built in 1529. Grand Duchess of Lithuania Barbora Radvilaitė became the governor of Karmėlava and its environs in 1549. Later, Karmėlava was governed by noble families of Pac, Ogiński, and Sirutis. The parish first school in Karmėlava was mentioned in 1663. Karmėlava was devastated during the Northern Wars. The town of Karmėlava was granted the Magdeburg rights and the coat of arms in 1792.