The district had its origins in the Hertford Poor Law Union, which had been created in 1835.

[2] In 1872 rural sanitary districts were established, giving public health and local government responsibilities to the existing boards of guardians of poor law unions for any parts of their district which did not have an existing urban authority.

[3] Hertford Rural District contained the following parishes:[1] The council initially met at the Shire Hall in Hertford, as the predecessor rural sanitary authority had done.

[8] The council remained at 20 Castle Street until 1950, when it bought to a large house called Wallfields on Pegs Lane and converted it to become its headquarters.

Hertford Rural District was abolished under the Local Government Act 1972.