 The district took its name from the Preseli Hills.It was formed by the Local Government Act 1972 on 1 April 1974 from the northern part of the administrative county of Pembrokeshire - specifically, the municipal borough of Haverfordwest, the urban districts of Fishguard and Goodwick, Milford Haven and Neyland, and the rural districts of Cemaes and Haverfordwest.In 1981, a further 11 communities were transferred from South Pembrokeshire district.