The area has gained the common nickname of Doggy, it is of unknown origin.

Its name, as well as those of various streets in the locality, alludes to the support given to the initial construction of North Ormesby, a new town, in the later 19th century by members of the nearby Ormesby-based Pennyman family.

], the erection of numerous new buildings and the restructuring of the A66 Redcar to Penrith trunk road which passes through the north of the area.

In October 2017, it was revealed to have the cheapest average house price in England and Wales, at £36,000, down 60% since 2007 (after inflation adjustment).

[5] The neighbourhood was featured as the lead story on BBC News at Six on 12 June 2024 as having one of the worst crime rates in Britain with regular robberies, drug dealing, criminal damage and theft.