Boothferry is split between civil parishes, areas to the west of the B1228 road are in the civil parish of Asselby and those to the east in Howden.
Boothferry is home to Boothferry Bridge which was the first physical crossing of the Ouse (if travelling inland). It was very heavily used by vehicles travelling between the north and south banks of the Humber before the opening of the M62 motorway in the mid-1970s and the Humber Bridge in 1981.
Boothferry Bridge is celebrated in the song "Boothferry Bridge" by the musical group "The Lonesome Travellers" which was released in the early 1970s. The M62 now crosses the Ouse on a viaduct approximately one mile downstream (East) of the old bridge.
Boothferry gave its name to the Boothferry borough of Humberside from 1974 to 1996 and to the Boothferry parliamentary constituency which, in 1997, was largely amalgamated into the Haltemprice and Howden constituency represented by David Davis MP.
Boothferry was also chosen to be the name taken by a local resident when he took the title of Lord in 2004. Boothferry has also lent its name to many roads and buildings along with businesses within the borough although it is now defunct.
