How Many Uk Counties End In Shire Fixed Jun 2026

However, the answer depends on whether you are counting current administrative boundaries or historical/ceremonial counties. Here is the solid guide to the numbers.

There are UK counties (including traditional and ceremonial counties) ending in “-shire.” how many uk counties end in shire

If you look at a map of (the areas with a Lord Lieutenant, used mostly for geography and protocol rather than local government), the number is higher. However, the answer depends on whether you are

Note: Some counties like Devon and Somerset historically ended in "shire" but the suffix has largely dropped out of common usage, though they still have "shire" in their ceremonial definitions. Note: Some counties like Devon and Somerset historically

If you need the modern, administrative government answer, the number is 27 . If you are counting historical "shires," the number is closer to 40+.

The word "shire" comes from the Old English , meaning a district, care, or official charge.

: There are 23 traditional shire names, though some like (Forfarshire) or Midlothian (Edinburghshire) often go by their non-shire titles today.