Meet Lord Zetland: exploring the namesake behind Redcar’s landmarks
- Melissa Wade
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
If you’ve spent any time in Redcar, you’ve likely encountered the name ‘Zetland.’
From the Zetland Lifeboat Museum to the Zetland Park, the name is woven into the fabric of the town.
But who was Lord Zetland, and why is his name so prominently displayed across Redcar?
The answer lies in a rich history aristocracy and the profound influence of a family on the development of this coastal community.
The title of Lord Zetland, or more accurately, Earl of Zetland, belongs to a hereditary peerage within the UK.
The Dundas family held this title, and it was they who significantly impacted Redcar’s growth, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The most notable figure in Redcar’s history is Lawrence Dundas, the 1st Earl of Zetland.
He and his descendants were major landowners in the area and played a crucial role in transforming Redcar from a small fishing village into a thriving seaside.
The Dundas family’s influence stemmed from their vast land holdings and their investment in key industries.
The family historically owned vast amounts of land in the North Riding of Yorkshire, including areas in Redcar.
They played a key role in the industrial development of the area by facilitating mining and railway infrastructure.
They derived significant wealth by leasing land to mine owners for ironstone extraction in the Eston Hills and East Cleveland during the industrial revolution.
From the 1920s, much of the new private housing in Redcar was built on farmland owned by the Zetlands, driving the expansion of the town.
The Zetland family have also been heavily involved in the Redcar racecourse from the onset.
It was Sir Lawrence Dundas who registered his colours, a white silk shirt with red sports to create the famous ‘Aske Spots’ in 1774.
The 4th Marquess of Zetland was a major figure in the development of Redcar Racecourse acting as chairman and managing director from 1981 to 2018 and he was also the Honorary President of the Redcar RNLI.
Naming landmarks after the Zetland family was a way to honour their contributions and acknowledge their significant role in shaping Redcar’s identity.
The Zetland Lifeboat Museum, for example, houses the oldest lifeboat in the world, and was named after the Marquess of Zetland in 1838, to honour the Dundas family’s support.
Other Redcar landmarks named Zetland to honour the family include, Zetland Park, Zetland Cafe and the Zetland Hotel.
Today, Robin Lawrence Dundas is the 5th Marquess of Zetland, he succeeded his father who passed away in January 2026.
By understanding the history behind Lord Zetland and the Dundas family, we gain a deeper appreciation for the forces that shaped Redcar into the town it is today and why the Redcar landmarks deserve to be named after him.
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