It was created in 1917 for the prominent media owner and politician Sir Max Aitken, 1st Baronet.

When Aitken died, his son disclaimed the barony three days later, stating that "there shall only be one Lord Beaverbrook in my lifetime".

He is the father of Jemma Wellesley, Marchioness of Douro, and Jodie Kidd.

The family seat is Denchworth Manor, near Wantage in Oxfordshire.

Replicas of the first Baron's two favourite cats can be viewed in the public research room of the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick.