It was created by the British North America Act of 1867. The "South Riding of Wentworth" initially consisted of the Townships of Saltfleet, Binbrook, Glanford, Barton and Ancaster. In 1882, the townships of Grimsby and Caistor, and the village of Grimsby were added, while the Township of Ancaster was removed.
In 1892, it was called "South Wentworth" and redefined to consist of the townships of Saltfleet, Binbrooke, Barton, Glanford, North and South Grimsby, Caistor, East and West Flamborough, the town of Dundas, and the villages of Grimsby and Waterdown.
The electoral district was abolished in 1903 when it was redistributed between Lincoln and Wentworth ridings.
