The constituency was created by the Reform Act 1832, when the four-seat Yorkshire constituency was divided in three for the 1832 general election.

It was abolished by the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885, and replaced for the 1885 general election by the new single-member constituencies of Cleveland, Richmond, Thirsk & Malton and Whitby, most its remaining small boroughs seeing disenfranchisement in 1868 or in 1885.

Duncombe succeeded to the peerage, becoming 2nd Baron Feversham and causing a by-election.

Cayley's death caused a by-election.

Duncombe was elevated to the peerage, becoming 3rd Lord Feversham, and causing a by-election.