It was created in 1900 for the Conservative politician Sir Matthew White Ridley, 5th Baronet, Home Secretary from 1895 to 1900.

He was made Baron Wensleydale, of Blagdon and Blyth in the County of Northumberland, at the same time, also in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.

When he died the title was inherited by his son, the fifth Baronet, who was raised to the peerage as Viscount Ridley in 1900.

Nicholas Ridley-Colborne, younger son of the second Baronet, was a politician and was created Baron Colborne in 1839.

The Honourable Sir Jasper Nicholas Ridley, younger son of the first Viscount, was an authority on banking and the arts.