Renfrew, royal burgh (town), Renfrewshire council area and historic county, southwestern Scotland, located in the northwest portion of the Glasgow metropolitan area near the right bank of the River Clyde. In 1164 Somerled, lord of the Western (Scottish) Isles, was defeated and killed there by the Scottish monarch Malcolm IV. A burgh in the 12th century, it received its charter in 1396. It is the historic county town (seat) of Renfrewshire. The development of steel and shipbuilding industries brought rapid growth during the 19th century, but these industries had disappeared by the late 20th century. Today Renfrew is the site of the massive Braehead shopping complex and a large family entertainment centre. Pop. (2001) 20,180; (2011) 21,790.