High Sheriffs

Emblem of the High Sheriffs
of England and Wales

Throughout Irish history, the English and then British monarch have appointed High Sheriffs to counties and cities in Ireland. A High Sheriff was the Sovereign's judicial representative in that county and along with their judicial role, they held ceremonial and administrative functions and executed High Court Writs.

This followed the system of High Sheriffs used in England and Wales. Scotland has its own system of sheriffs that are appointed to sheriffdoms (judicial districts).

In England and Wales the office was originally held for a lifetime, however from 1258 according to the Provisions of Oxford they became annually appointed. The title survives to this day in England, Northern Ireland and Wales, largely on a ceremonial basis. In Northern Ireland they have some duties such as deputising for Lord Mayor. For more information visit AgendaNI - High Sheriffs ceremonial role. The office of High Sheriff was abolished in the Republic of Ireland in 1926.

Richardson High Sheriffs

Below is a list of all the Richardsons who have held the title of High Sheriff in Ulster. It also includes a few people who have the middle name Richardson, which follows the common practice of giving a child the maiden name of their mother or maternal grandmother. So they are most likely of Richardson descent.

Unsurprisingly the counties where the major Richardson families lived in Ulster sees quite a few holding the role of High Sheriff, with County Londonderry being the exception. Though some seem to have become High Sheriff in more than one county.

High Sheriff of Armagh

• 1665, Edward Richardson of Legacorry
• 1690, William Richardson of Legacorry
• 1715, John Richardson
• 1720, Henry Richardson
• 1737, William Richardson of Richhill Castle
• 1777, William Richardson of Richhill Castle
• 1888, John Mervyn Archdall Carleton Richardson
• 1936, Richard Henry Stephens Richardson
• 1945, John Stephen Wakefield Richardson
• 1949, Alexander Reginald Wakefield Richardson

High Sheriff of Fermanagh

• 1783, John Richardson
• 1805, John Richardson
• 1833, Henry Mervyn Richardson of Rossfad
• 1868, John Mervyn Archdall Carleton Richardson of Rossfad and Richhill

High Sheriff of Londonderry City

• 1741, Charles Richardson, joint with William Foliott
• 1742, Charles Richardson, joint with John Hamilton

High Sheriff of Monaghan

• 1664, Simon Richardson
• 1692, Henry Richardson of Poplar Vale
• 1700, Henry Richardson of Poplar Vale
• 1793, Edward Richardson of Poplar Vale
• 1846, John Richardson of Poplar Vale
• 1871, Edward Richardson of Poplar Vale
• 1902, Edward John Richardson of Poplar Vale

High Sheriff of Tyrone

• 1650-57, Edward Richardson
• 1662, William Richardson
• 1680, Archibald Richardson
• 1734, James Richardson
• 1743, David Richardson
• 1778, John Richardson
• 1789, Sir William Richardson, 1st Baronet of Augher
• 1799, William Richardson
• 1807, William Richardson Goodlatte
• 1824, William Steward Richardson
• 1831, Sir James Mervyn Richardson-Bradley, 2nd Baronet of Killeacle
• 1832, Thomas Richardson Browne
• 1870, Henry James Stewart, later Stuart-Richardson, 5th Earl Castle Stewart
• 1885-6, John Mervyn Archdall Carleton Richardson of Rossfad

Ellis Island update

Hello again. I've updated the Ellis Island page with what may be the final list of Richardsons from Ulster that I can find arriving into the United States via Ellis Island. Along with this I've accordingly updated the destination map.