It was created in 1529 for Thomas Wentworth, who was also de jure sixth Baron le Despencer of the 1387 creation.

The title was created by writ, which means that it can descend via female lines (according to the male-preference cognatic primogeniture).

His grandson, Thomas Wentworth, the fourth Baron, was created Earl of Cleveland in the Peerage of England in 1626.

Henrietta Maria Wentworth, daughter of the fifth Baron, succeeded as the sixth holder upon her grandfather's death.

In 1762 he was created Viscount Wentworth, of Wellesborough in the County of Leicester, in the Peerage of Great Britain.

Lord Wentworth had no legitimate male heir and on his death in 1815 the viscountcy and baronetcy became extinct.

However, he never married and on his early death in 1862 at the age of 26, the barony was passed on to his younger brother, Ralph King-Milbanke.

He was succeeded in the earldom by his half-brother, the third Earl, while the barony was inherited by his daughter and only child Lady Ada King-Milbanke, the fourteenth holder.

The 14th Baroness never married and was succeeded by her aunt, Lady Anne Blunt, the fifteenth holder of the peerage.

In January 1640, this Lord Wentworth was created Earl of Strafford and Baron Raby.