Temenggong in the 19th Century. Because of the majority of the residents here were Malacca people, and that fish caught here were sent to Singapore markets, hence at demands of the people, a surau (a small Muslim worship place) was built under the suggestion and supervision of Tuan Shaikh Arif bin Abd. Kadir. Because of the surau, it was suggested by the iman (Muslim Religion Leader) and Guru Agama (Religion Teachers) that this place to be called Kukub, because kukub in Arabic Language means "stars" and related to the Islam religion.
EVER since then,Kukub becoming more and more prosperous. When the famous Singapore Arab by the name Syed Muhammad bin Ahmad Alsagoff (known also as Nong Chik) obtained the approval of the Sultan of Johor to develop the Southwest Coast of Johor, Kukup became more and more prosperous. Many government organisations were set up here, harbour and port were nicely set up. Boats and ships from the North to the South would stop here, loading and unloading cargo, leaving for Singapore or Malacca. Shops were opened and many people came here to settle down. At such time, many people disagreed with the name Kukub for it was not a Malay name, as such, they changed it to Kukup.
DUE to its rapid development, Kukup became one of the big town in Johor. The rapid development was due to the coming of Tuan Syed Muhamad Alsagoff or Nong Chik as he was so called. A Singapore Arab who had seek and obtained apporval from Sultan Abu Bakar Johor to explore and open up agriculture lands in the South West Coast of Johor bordered by Sungai Permas, Sungai Pontian Kechil, Sungai Pontian Besar and Sungai Jeram Batu (Sungai in Malay means river). Kukup was rapidly developed under Constantinople Estate owned by Tuan Syed Muhamad Alsagoff. And because of so, the whole place was named "Kukup District". Kukup District was replaced with "Pontian District" when the main road linking Pontian and Johor Bahru was completed in 1900
