Scotland Counties

 County Changes Made in 1974 

In 1974 the British government reorganized the counties of Scotland. Twelve areas called  regions  were created from the original thirty-four counties.

These changes should not seriously affect genealogical research, but be aware of the following issues:


 * Current maps show the new boundaries.


 * Current addresses are located in the new counties. The addresses use the current county structure.


 * If you are looking for a parish, city, or regional office that houses records, you will need to know the current address and the areas covered by the repository.

You should still begin with the pre-1974 county name when you start your genealogical research.

Note that  'shire' is an old Anglo-Saxon word designating a county or district, which was integrated into Scotland by the English. A shire was policed by a 'shire reeve' or sheriff.

The word 'shire' is usually used on the end of a county name when there is a parish or city (burgh)  of the same name within the county, such as the city or burgh of Aberdeen in Aberdeenshire. When referring to 'the county of Aberdeen', you do not use 'shire' on the end of the name as that would be redundant.

Long before the 1974 reorganization, s  ome counties had alternate names by which they were at times known. These include Edinburghshire or Midlothian, Elginshire or Moray, Forfarshire or Angus, Haddingtonshire or East Lothian, and Linlithgowshire or West Lothian.

Below is a list of the old          counties with the new (post-1974) county or counties they are primarily a part of. Click on an old county name to see a list of historic parishes with further links to information on parish records.