Totowa is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough's population was 10,844, reflecting an increase of 912 (+9.2%) from the 9,892 counted in the 2000 Census, which had in turn declined by 285 (-2.8%) from the 10,177 counted in the 1990 Census.Totowa was formed as a borough by an act of the New Jersey Legislature on March 15, 1898, from portions of the now-defunct Manchester Township and Wayne Township. Its name comes from the Native American name for the Passaic Falls, and literally means "sinking or falling water," or "between mountains and water."HistoryIn 1696, George Willocks, a Scottish land speculator, purchased a tract of land known as Willock's Patent, which included most of modern-day Totowa Borough. Located in the western part of Manchester Township, Willocks Patent was resold to Anthony Brockholls and the Van Houtens. The land was titled the "Totowa Patent," and divided into three parcels. The Totowa Patent and land acquired through the "Garret Mountain Purchase" included modern-day Totowa, Woodland Park (formerly West Paterson) and Little Falls.