It was created in 1887 for Edward Fellowes, who had previously represented Huntingdonshire in the House of Commons as a Conservative for 43 years.
His eldest son, the second Baron, sat as Member of Parliament for Huntingdonshire and Ramsey and later served as a Lord-in-waiting (government whip in the House of Lords) from 1890 to 1892 in the Conservative administration of Lord Salisbury.
His grandson, the third Baron, was Lord Lieutenant of Huntingdonshire from 1947 to 1965 and of Huntingdon and Peterborough between 1965 and 1968.
As of 2017[update] the title is held by the latter's son, the fourth Baron, who succeeded in 1993.
The heir apparent is the present holder's son the Hon.