The Society was formed in 1990 and named the "International Relf Society" in 1991 in recognition of its international membership. A Newsletter was started in the winter of 1990 and four issues per year of "The Wolf Pack" have been published ever since.

One of the aims of the International Relf Society is to foster the study of the Relf surname and its variants and to sponsor the publication of definitive research.

Membership is open to all persons showing an interest in the Society's Objectives. Annual Membership details are at http://www.relfsociety.org/membership/ .