It derives its name from James Laurie who, along with his brother, developed a large part of the district in the early 19th century.

Compared to other neighbourhoods in the vicinity, many of its 19th century buildings escaped the slum clearances of the 1960s and 70s, particularly in the north of the district close to the river.

Whilst the blocks (Norfolk Court and Stirlingfauld Place) solved a short term housing need and were popular with some residents due to their proximity to central Glasgow, they were expensive to maintain and became increasingly undesirable in terms of their build quality and aesthetic appeal.

Over a period of several years in the early 21st century the residents were relocated and the towers demolished.

The West Coast Main Line railway tracks form the western boundary of the district and there are other tracks nearby (linking to the City Union Bridge), but it has been several decades since Laurieston or the Gorbals had its own train station.