This is a list of Sheriffs and High Sheriffs of Gloucestershire, who should not be confused with the Sheriffs of the City of Gloucester.
The High Sheriff is the oldest secular office under the Crown (in England and Wales the office previously known as sheriff was retitled High Sheriff on 1 April 1974). Formerly the Sheriff was the principal law enforcement officer in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that the High Sheriff's functions are now largely ceremonial. The High Sheriff changes every March.
As of 2006, the Sheriff's territory or bailiwick is covered by the administrative areas of Gloucestershire County Council and of South Gloucestershire District Council. Sir Robert Atkyns, the historian of Gloucester, writing in 1712 stated that no family had produced more Sheriffs of this county than Denys.
Contents
Sheriffs
11th and 12th centuries
1071–c. 1082: Roger de Pitres (Roger of Gloucester)
c. 1082–1096 Durand of Gloucester (brother of Roger, died 1096)
1097–1121 Walter de Gloucester (nephew of Durand, son of Roger, retired bef. 1129 to become monk)
1121–c. 1129: Miles FitzWalter de Gloucester (son of Walter, died 1143)
?–1155: Roger Fitzmiles, 2nd Earl of Hereford (son of Miles, died 1155)
1155–1157: Walter de Hereford (brother of Roger, died c.1159 on crusade)
1157–1163: William de Beauchamp
1164–1167: William Pypard
1168–1171: Gilbert Pypard
1171–1175: Ralph fitzStephen (Rad'us (Ralph) son of Stephen)
1175–1189: William fitzStephen (William son of Stephen)
1190–1195 William Marescallus (William Marshall)
1196–1199: Herbert son of Herbert