The village was first mentioned in 1792 as Ruiner wold, and means "woods belonging to Ruinen".

[4] The Dutch Reformed church is located in the former hamlet of Blijdenstein [nl] which has merged into Ruinerwold.

[4] Rich farmers formerly lived in Ruinerwold, where they constructed expansive farms with ornate embellishments.

[5] In October 2019, a 67-year-old man, Gerrit Jan van Dorsten, and his six adult children were discovered, who had lived for nine years in seclusion in a farm house in Ruinerwold.

The father was charged with unlawful deprivation of liberty and harming other people's health.