The district dates to the Oberamt Waldshut, which was created when the area became part of the state of Baden in the beginning of the 19th century. After some changes it was converted to a district in 1938. In 1973 the districts Säckingen and Hochschwarzwald were dissolved and were partially added to the district Waldshut, which then grew to its current size.
The present coat o airms wis grantit on 11 December 1973, supersedin an aulder ane. The bend wavy represents the river Rhine as the main river o the destrict. The wheel on a blue grund seembolizes the destrict's hydro-electric pouer industry (thare wis a wheel in the auld coat o airms an aw). The abbot's staff wis taken frae the airms o the destrict o Säckingen, tae seembolize its monasteries. Green is uised tae signify the Black Forest.