It was created out of the earlier Mutford and Lothingland rural sanitary district.

[1] It was named after the historic hundred of Mutford and Lothingland, whose boundaries it closely matched.

In 1934, under a County Review Order, Mutford and Lothingland Rural District was abolished and its parishes transferred to the new Lothingland Rural District, apart from Gunton and some part parishes which were added to Lowestoft MB.

In 1974 the area was divided between the new districts of Great Yarmouth (in Norfolk) and Waveney in Suffolk.

Mutford and Lothingland RD contained the parishes of Ashby, Barnby, Belton, Blundeston, Bradwell, Burgh Castle, Carlton Colville, Corton, Flixton, Fritton, Gisleham, Gunton, Herringfleet, Hopton on Sea, Kessingland, Lound, Mutford, Oulton, Pakefield, Rushmere and Somerleyton.