The volcanic cone was formed 108 million years ago. Magma penetrated the Devonian sandstone layers and solidified below the earth's surface. This passage or chimney made of hard basalt protected the surrounding sandstone from erosion, leaving the conical shape of the Neuerburger Kopf, which is still clearly visible today. Classified as belonging to the Cretaceous period, the Neuerburger Kopf and the neighboring Lüxeberg are the oldest volcanic features in the Eifel.
The Neuerburger Kopf was formerly called Merkuriusberg (Mercurius, Roman god of trade). The former name is explained by the Roman trade and military roads that crossed next to it. The current name refers to a castle. Archbishop Albero (1131-1152) had a "novum castrum" (= new castle) built, which was completed in 1168 by Archbishop Hillin and expanded by Archbishop Henry II (1260-1286). The castle was used primarily to collect customs duties on the neighboring trade route and was one of the seven castles of the Electorate of Trier, along with Manderscheid, Arras, Saarburg, Grimburg, Welschbillig and Ehrenbreitstein. The last inhabitants of Hatzdorf, which had been ravaged by the plague and abandoned, settled under the protection of the castle and founded the village of Neuerburg. Neuerburg Castle was most likely destroyed in 1689 by the French Marshal François de Créquy, who also had Wittlich destroyed from Mont Royal. Today only a few remains of the walls can be found.