Sheriff of Aberdeen facts for kids
The Sheriff of Aberdeen was an important official in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Their main job was to make sure laws were followed and justice was served. For a long time, before 1748, this job was often passed down in families, like an inheritance.
After a big event called the Jacobite uprising in 1745, things changed. The old system was replaced. New sheriffs, called "sheriff-deputies," were chosen. These new sheriffs were paid for their work and had to be qualified lawyers from Scotland.
Contents
How the Sheriff's Job Changed
Over the years, the area covered by the Sheriff of Aberdeen grew.
Joining Forces: Aberdeen and Kincardine
In 1870, the Sheriff of Aberdeen's area joined with Kincardineshire. This created a new job title: the Sheriff of Aberdeen and Kincardine.
Adding Banffshire
Later, in 1882, the area grew even more. Banffshire was added to the sheriffdom. The title then became the Sheriff of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Banff.
The End of an Era
This combined sheriffdom lasted until 1975. At that point, it was replaced by a new, larger area. This new area is known today as the Sheriffdom of Grampian, Highland and Islands.
Who Were the Sheriffs?
Many different people held the role of Sheriff of Aberdeen over the centuries. In the early days, some sheriffs were powerful nobles or knights.
Early Sheriffs of Aberdeen
- Philip de Melville, 1221
- William Prat, 1246
- Gregory de Melville, before 1263
- Andrew of Garioch, 1264
- William de Meldrum, 1290
- Henry de Latham,
1297 - John of Strathbogie, Earl of Atholl, 1299–1300
- Alexander Comyn, 1303
- Robert II Keith, Marischal of Scotland, 1304–1305
Sheriffs-Depute (After 1748)
After 1748, the sheriffs were professional lawyers. They were called "sheriffs-depute."
- William Forbes, 1728
- Alexander Grant of Grantsfield, 1741
- David Dalrymple, Lord Westhall, 1748–1777
- Alexander Elphinstone of Glack, 1777–1795
- Alexander Moir, 1795-1822
- Andrew Murray, 1822-1847
- John Thomson Gordon, 1847–1848
- Archibald Davidson, 1848–1865
- Andrew Jameson, 1865–1870
Sheriffs of Aberdeen and Kincardine (1870-1882)
- Andrew Jameson, 1865–1870
- John Guthrie Smith, 1870–1882
Sheriffs of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Banff (1882-1975)
- John Guthrie Smith, 1882–1895
- Donald Crawford, 1895–1911
- John Campbell Lorimer, 1911–1920
- Alexander Logan McClure, 1920–1932
- (Sir) George Morton, 1932–1953
- James Walker, 1953–1954
- Thomas Pringle McDonald, 1954–1969
- Interim appointment of Sheriff F.W.F. O'Brien, 1969–1971
- Alexander Mackenzie Stuart, Baron Mackenzie-Stuart, 1971–1972
- George Stanley Gimson, 1972–1975
The Sheriffdom of Aberdeen, Kincardine and Banff was officially ended in 1975. It was replaced by the current sheriffdom of Grampian, Highland and Islands.
See also
- Historical development of Scottish sheriffdoms
