[1] The brand is named after Sir Gerald du Maurier, the noted British actor.

[2] The brand is also produced under license by the West Indian Tobacco Company in Trinidad and Tobago.

The brand launched in the United Kingdom in 1930 after actor and producer Sir Gerald du Maurier (father of writer Daphne du Maurier) made requests for "a cigarette less irritating to his throat".

He lent his name to the creation of a cigarette brand, the royalties for which he used to pay down his substantial tax liabilities.

[4][5] Du Maurier was the sponsor of the Canadian Women's Open golf from 1988 until 2000, as well as the Canadian Open's women's tennis from 1997 until 2000, when new anti-tobacco legislation came into force in Canada and prohibited tobacco companies from sponsoring major sporting events.