The settlement of Monifieth dates back to at least the 9th Century. The discovery of Pictish stones in the graveyard of St Rules Church point to Monifieth as an important Pictish centre. The sculptured symbol stones are now in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh.

Today, Monifieth is a noted golfing centre, with its links courses being used as qualifying courses for the Open Championship. A seaside town, it has a small shopping centre and some fine hotels and eating-places.