How Many Counties In England End In Shire Jun 2026

However, historically and administratively, this number fluctuates. In the traditional system, only 23 are typically listed with "shire" as their primary name. The Complete List of "Shire" Counties

Based on the 48 modern ceremonial counties, the following 25 end in "-shire": Berkshire Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Cheshire Derbyshire Gloucestershire Hampshire Herefordshire Hertfordshire Lancashire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Northamptonshire North Yorkshire Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire Shropshire South Yorkshire Staffordshire Warwickshire West Yorkshire Wiltshire Worcestershire how many counties in england end in shire

The word “shire” derives from the Old English scir , meaning a territory or administrative division. In England, many historic counties bear this suffix, and the number depends on whether you count ceremonial, historic, or administrative counties. However, if you focus on the (the traditional 39), 24 of them end in “-shire.” In England, many historic counties bear this suffix,

The list of modern ceremonial counties ending in "-shire" includes: Bedfordshire Buckinghamshire Cambridgeshire Derbyshire Gloucestershire Herefordshire Hertfordshire Lancashire Leicestershire Lincolnshire Northamptonshire Nottinghamshire Oxfordshire Shropshire Staffordshire Warwickshire Worcestershire The Exceptions: Why Some Don't Use the Suffix

There are 24 counties in England that end in "shire."

Most counties ending in "-shire" follow a specific naming pattern: they are named after their (e.g., Bedfordshire is the land around the town of Bedford). This system was primarily used by the Kingdom of Wessex as they expanded their administrative control across England in the 10th century. The Exceptions: Why Some Don't Use the Suffix

The precise answer depends on whether historical or current administrative boundaries are used. However, based on current ceremonial counties in England, there are counties that officially end in "shire."