Westmorland Westmorland (, formerly also spelt ''Westmoreland'';R. Wilkinson The British Isles, Sheet The British IslesVision of Britain/ref> is a historic county in North West England spanning the southern Lake District and the northern Dales. It had an ...

(sometimes spelled Westmoreland) in

North West England North West England is one of nine official regions of England and consists of the ceremonial counties of England, administrative counties of Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Merseyside. The North West had a population of ...

was abolished in 1974 following Ted Heath's

Local Government Act 1972 The Local Government Act 1972 (c. 70) is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom that reformed local government in England and Wales on 1 April 1974. It was one of the most significant Acts of Parliament to be passed by the Heath Gov ...

. Westmorland became a part of

Cumbria Cumbria ( ) is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in North West England, bordering Scotland. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local government, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumb ...

along with

Cumberland Cumberland ( ) is a historic county in the far North West England. It covers part of the Lake District as well as the north Pennines and Solway Firth coast. Cumberland had an administrative function from the 12th century until 1974. From 19 ...

, parts of

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a Historic counties of England, historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other Eng ...

and

Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly. The non-metropolitan county of Lancashi ...

, including the

Furness Furness ( ) is a peninsula and region of Cumbria in northwestern England. Together with the Cartmel Peninsula it forms North Lonsdale, historically an exclave of Lancashire. The Furness Peninsula, also known as Low Furness, is an area of vill ...

peninsular. In 2022 Westmorland was reconstituted as

Westmorland and Furness Westmorland and Furness is a future unitary authority area in north-west England, which will come into being on 1 April 2023 on the abolition of Cumbria County Council, together with Cumberland. The council will cover the areas currently served ...

following the abolition of

Cumbria County Council Cumbria County Council is the county council for the non-metropolitan county of Cumbria in the North West of England. Established in April 1974, following its first elections held the previous year, it is an elected local government body respon ...

have no High Sheriff as Cumbria has remained the ceremonial county. The traditional county of Westmorland, like neighbouring Lancashire, was itself a new creation during the Middle Ages. It seems to have been treated as part of Yorkshire in the 11th century, and the eventual boundaries represented a merger between an earlier entity called Westmorland, and the Barony of

Kendal Kendal, once Kirkby in Kendal or Kirkby Kendal, is a market town and civil parish in the South Lakeland district of Cumbria, England, south-east of Windermere and north of Lancaster. Historically in Westmorland, it lies within the dale of th ...

, which was apparently originally considered part of the Honor of Lancaster, though it did not become part of

. Kendal is also now part of Cumbria. The original Westmorland is sometimes referred to as Westmarieland and is later referred to as the Barony of Appleby or "Northern Westmorland".

List of sheriffs

The following is an ''incomplete'' list of historical

sheriff A sheriff is a government official, with varying duties, existing in some countries with historical ties to England where the office originated. There is an analogous, although independently developed, office in Iceland that is commonly transla ...

s. Except where separately referenced, names are taken from the website of the

Public Record Office The Public Record Office (abbreviated as PRO, pronounced as three letters and referred to as ''the'' PRO), Chancery Lane in the City of London, was the guardian of the national archives of the United Kingdom from 1838 until 2003, when it was m ...

Kew Kew () is a district in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. Its population at the 2011 census was 11,436. Kew is the location of the Royal Botanic Gardens ("Kew Gardens"), now a World Heritage Site, which includes Kew Palace. Kew is a ...

. The references given are also used throughout English archives. Between the thirteenth century and 1849, the office of sheriff was hereditary, firstly granted in perpetuity by King John to Robert de Veteripont and afterwards held by the de Clifford family and then by the

Earls of Thanet Earl of the Isle of Thanet, in practice shortened to Earl of Thanet, was a title in the Peerage of England. It was created in 1628 for Nicholas Tufton, 1st Baron Tufton. He had already succeeded as second Baronet of Hothfield in 1631 and been cre ...

, until the 11th earl died with no successors. Due to the continued absence of the earlier incumbents on military service the duties would be actually be undertaken by a trusted deputy sheriff. The office was finally abolished in 1974 when the shrievalty of Cumbria was established. *1129. Richard filius Gerardi de Appleby. *1174.

Ranulf de Glanville Ranulf is a masculine given name in the English language. It is derived from the Old Norse name ''Reginúlfr''. This Old Norse personal name is composed of two elements: the first, ''regin'', means "advice", "decision" (and also "the gods"); the s ...

*1176.

*1177.

*c. 1189. Osbert de Longo Campo (Longchamp) D MUS 2/10/24 *1191–1199

Hugh Bardulf Hugh Bardulf or Hugh Bardolf (died c. 1203) was a medieval English administrator and royal justice. Known for his legal expertise, he also served as a financial administrator. He served three kings of England before his death. Bardulf began hi ...

*1199. Geoffrey FitzPeter *1200. William de Stuteville. D MUS 2/10/67. *1201. Geoffrey FitzPeter and Roger Bellocampo eauchamp(under-sheriff?)(cf. The History and Antiquities of the Counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland. Vol. I) *1202. William Stutevil and Philip Escrope (under-sheriff?) *1204–1228 Robert de Veteripont (Vipont) *1230

William de Ireby William de Ireby (died 1257), Master of the Buckhounds, Master of the Royal Hounds and Sheriff of Westmorland, was an English knight from Cumbria. William was a younger son of Adam de Ireby and Juliana. He became one of King John, King of Englan ...

*1235 John de Vieuxpont

Vipont Vipont (''alias'' Vieuxpont) is the name of a prominent family in the history of Westmorland. According to Thomas the name originated in France before 1066 as Vieuxpont ("Old Bridge"), Latinized to ''de Vetere Ponte'' ("from the Old Bridge"), ...

(Hereditary Sheriff 1228–1243) *c. 1230. Alexander Bachucton D/WYB/2/115 *1241 Gilbert of Kirketon DDHV/70/1 *1241–43 John de

Veteriponte Vipont (''alias'' Vieuxpont) is the name of a prominent family in the history of Westmorland. According to Thomas the name originated in France before 1066 as Vieuxpont ("Old Bridge"), Latinized to ''de Vetere Ponte'' ("from the Old Bridge"), ...

(Hereditary Sheriff 1228–1243) *Robert de Vieuxpont (Hereditary Sheriff 1243–1242) *John de Vieuxpont (Hereditary Sheriff 1242–1264) *Isobella and Idomea Vieuxpont (Hereditary Sheriffs 1264-1308?) *mid 13th century. Roger de Stokes D/WYB/2/35 *before 1283 Thomas de Mussegrave D/WYB/2/38 *c. 1280–1290 William de Steynton D MUS 2/10/88 *c. 1283–1289 Sir Richard de Medburn D/WYB/2/42 *1284 Michael de Hartcla D/WYB/2/116 *1288 Robert de Morvill D/WYB/2/43 *1294 Thomas de Hellebek WD D/MD 40 *1312 1312 Robert de Morwyll D HC 2/11/6 *1317 Henry de Warthecopp D/WYB/2/117 *1320–1322 Hugh de Louther SC 8/151/7531 (Louther also served as sheriff from October 1320 to February 1322) *1322–1323 Hugh de Louther SC 8/151/7531 (Louther did hold the office from December 1322 to July 1323, and it is possible that this short term was as a result of the complaints made in this petition (List of Sheriffs, p. 150). However Louther also served as sheriff from October 1320 to February 1322) *c. 1323–1325 Henry de Threlkeld C 49/45/14 *1329 Thomas de Waryekop D/WYB/2/123 *1330 Nicholas de Grendon SC 8/33/1650 *1333–1334? Robert de Sandford D MUS 2/10/32 *1342 Thomas de Musgrave D/WYB/2/124 *

Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron Clifford Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford (1 April 1274 – 24 June 1314), of Appleby Castle, Westmorland, feudal baron of Appleby and feudal baron of Skipton in Yorkshire, was an English soldier who became 1st Lord Warden of the Marches, re ...

(Hereditary Sheriff 1308?–1314 (killed)) *

Roger de Clifford, 2nd Baron Clifford Roger de Clifford, 2nd Baron de Clifford, also 2nd Lord of Skipton (21 January 1300 – 23 March 1322) was a member of the Clifford family, which held the seat of Skipton from 1310 to 1676. He inherited his title when his father, Robert de Cliffo ...

(Hereditary Sheriff 1314–1322 (hanged and attainted 1322)) *

Robert de Clifford, 3rd Baron Clifford Robert de Clifford, 3rd Baron de Clifford, also 3rd Lord of Skipton (5 November 1305 – 20 May 1344) was a member of the Clifford family which held the seat of Skipton from 1310 to 1676. He was the second son of Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron d ...

(Attainder revoked 1327. Hereditary Sheriff 1327–1344) *1344 Robert de Clifford, 4th Baron Clifford (Hereditary Sheriff 1344–1344) *1351 John de Burgham *1355 Hugh de la Boure C 131/9/17 *c. 1360 Roger Clifford, 5th Baron de Clifford (Hereditary Sheriff 1350–1389) SC 8/130/6466 * Thomas Clifford, 6th Baron de Clifford (Hereditary Sheriff 1389–1391) *

John Clifford, 7th Baron de Clifford John Clifford, 7th Baron de Clifford (c. 1389 – 13 March 1422), also known as John, Lord Clifford, 7th Lord of the Honor of Skipton, KG, was an English peer. He was killed at the siege of Meaux, France. Family John Clifford, born about 13 ...

(Hereditary Sheriff 1391–1422) (killed 1422) *1380 William de Lancaster WD RY/BOX 92/53 *1389 Walter de Stirkeland SC 8/222/11077 *1402 Elizabeth Clifford SC 8/119/5945 *1403–1406 Thomas Warcop SC 8/23/1108 (Thomas Warcop of Lambert's Ash was sheriff between November 1403 and October/November 1406, and again (unless this is the son?) between September/October 1417 and October 1418) *1406–1408 William de Thornburgh SC 8/23/1108 (sheriff between October/November 1406 and October/November 1408) *1417–1418 Thomas Warcop SC 8/23/1108 (Thomas Warcop of Lambert's Ash was sheriff between November 1403 and October/November 1406, and again (unless this is the son?) between September/October 1417 and October 1418) *

Thomas Clifford, 8th Baron de Clifford Thomas Clifford, 8th Baron de Clifford, also 8th Lord of Skipton (25 March 1414 – 22 May 1455), was the elder son of John, 7th Baron de Clifford, and Elizabeth Percy, daughter of Henry "Hotspur" Percy and Elizabeth Mortimer. Family Thomas ...

(Hereditary Sheriff 1422–1455) (killed 1455) *

John Clifford, 9th Baron de Clifford John Clifford, 9th Baron Clifford, 9th Lord of Skipton (8 April 1435 – 28 March 1461) was a Lancastrian military leader during the Wars of the Roses in England. The Clifford family was one of the most prominent families among the northern E ...

(Hereditary sheriff 1455–1461, attainted 1461) *1462–1473 Sir John Parr *1484–1485 Sir Richard Ratcliff Awarded for life but killed 1485. *1512 Henry Clifford C 131/97/16 (attainder revoked 1485, Hereditary sheriff 1485–1523) *

Henry Clifford, 1st Earl of Cumberland Henry Clifford, 1st Earl of Cumberland KG (1493 – 22 April 1542) was a member of the Clifford family which was seated at Skipton Castle, Yorkshire from 1310 to 1676. Origins He was born at Skipton Castle, a son of Henry Clifford, 10th Bar ...

(Hereditary sheriff 1523–1542) *

Henry Clifford, 2nd Earl of Cumberland Henry Clifford, 2nd Earl of Cumberland (1517 – January 1570) was a member of the Clifford family, seated at Skipton Castle from 1310 to 1676.Charles Mosley, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes (Wilmington ...

(Hereditary sheriff 1542–1570) *

George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland Sir George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, 13th Baron de Clifford, 13th Lord of Skipton, (8 August 155830 October 1605), was an English peer, naval commander, and courtier of Queen Elizabeth I of England. He was notable at court for his jo ...

(Hereditary sheriff 1570–1605) *1643–1676

Lady Anne Clifford Lady Anne Clifford, Countess of Dorset, Pembroke and Montgomery, ''suo jure'' 14th Baroness de Clifford (30 January 1590 – 22 March 1676) was an English peeress. In 1605 she inherited her father's ancient barony by writ and became ''suo jure'' ...

(Hereditary sheriff 1606–1676) *1676–1679

Nicholas Tufton, 3rd Earl of Thanet Nicholas Tufton, 3rd Earl of Thanet (7 August 1631 – 24 November 1679), styled Lord Tufton until 1664, was an English nobleman. Tufton was the eldest son of John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet, and Lady Margaret, daughter of Richard Sackville, ...

*1679–1680

John Tufton, 4th Earl of Thanet John Tufton, 4th Earl of Thanet (7 August 1638 – 27 April 1680), styled The Honourable John Tufton until 1679, was an English politician and nobleman. Tufton was the second son of John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet, by Lady Margaret, daughter ...

WD RY/BOX 86/21 *1680–1684

Richard Tufton, 5th Earl of Thanet Richard Tufton, 5th Earl of Thanet (30 May 1640 or 1641 – 8 March 1684), styled The Honourable Richard Tufton until 1680, was an English nobleman. Tufton was the third son of John Tufton, 2nd Earl of Thanet and Lady Margaret, daughter of Richa ...

*1684–1729

Thomas Tufton, 6th Earl of Thanet Thomas Tufton, 6th Earl of Thanet, 18th Baron de Clifford PC (30 August 1644 – 30 July 1729)G. E. Cokayne; with Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, Geoffrey H. White, Duncan Warrand and Lord Howard de Walden, editors. The Complete Peerage of England, ...

*1729–1753

Sackville Tufton, 7th Earl of Thanet Sackville Tufton, 7th Earl of Thanet (11 May 1688 – 4 December 1753) of Newbottle, Northamptonshire, known as Sackville Tufton until 1729, was a British Tory politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1722 until 1729 when he succeeded to t ...

*1753–1786

Sackville Tufton, 8th Earl of Thanet Sackville Tufton, 8th Earl of Thanet (Lord Thanet) (1733–1786) was an English nobleman. Life He was the second son of Sackville Tufton, 7th Earl of Thanet. Tufton received his early education at Westminster School. He was hereditary High Sheriff ...

DRO/021/102 *1786–1825

Sackville Tufton, 9th Earl of Thanet Sackville Tufton, 9th Earl of Thanet (30 June 1769 – January 1825) succeeded to his title in April 1786, following the death of his father Sackville Tufton, 8th Earl of Thanet. Two of his younger brothers were John Tufton and Henry Tufton, ...

List of sheriffs

1800–1899

1900–1974

References