The district comprises the western portion of a historical region called Oldenburgisches Münsterland, which means "lands of Oldenburg formerly held by Münster".
Kreis hõlmab läänepoolse osa ajaloolisest piirkonnast, mida kutsuti Oldenburger Münsterland, mis tähendab "Oldenburgi maid, mis varem kuulusid Münsterile".