It was created in 1881 for Sir Henry Tufton, 2nd Baronet, who was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Westmorland the same year and who also served briefly as a government whip in the Liberal administration of 1886.
His eldest son, the second Baron, notably served as Mayor of Appleby, Westmorland.
On the death of his son, the third Baron, in 1961, this line of the family failed.
On his death in 1986 this line of the family also failed and the titles passed to his first cousin, the fifth Baron.
As of 2017[update] the titles are held by his son, the sixth Baron, who succeeded in 1991.