The British parliamentary constituency was created in 1708 following the Acts of Union, 1707 and replaced the former Parliament of Scotland shire constituency of Renfrewshire.
The constituency covered the county of Renfrewshire, minus the parliamentary burgh of Renfrew throughout the 1708 to 1885 period, and minus the parliamentary burgh of Port Glasgow and the Paisley and Greenock constituencies from 1832 to 1885.
The constituency elected one Member of Parliament (MP) by the first past the post system until the seat was abolished in 1885.
Mure resigned by accepting the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds, causing a by-election.
Bruce was elevated to the peerage, becoming Lord Aberdare and causing a by-election.