For centuries, the counties of Britain and Ireland have shaped where people belong. They have been home to generations, carried through maps, records, traditions, sport, language and memory. Some grew from kingdoms older still. These places are not simply history. They remain the enduring geography of Britain and Ireland. Rediscover yours at RealCounties.com. Help us research, map and explain these enduring places for everyone: RealCounties.com/support

Did Michael Heseltine “rip up” England’s historic counties in 1974? What The @Telegraph got wrong 👇

The present pattern of the historic counties of Wales took their final shape under the Laws in Wales legislation of Henry VIII, which curtailed the old Marcher lordships and created Denbighshire, Montgomeryshire, Radnorshire, Brecknockshire, and Monmouthshire from those lands. The remaining Welsh counties had already existed for centuries. The 16th-century legislation completed the Welsh county pattern rather than creating it from scratch, bringing older territorial traditions into a lasting county structure. Behind the counties lie older Welsh divisions such as cantrefs and commotes, so the historic counties remain connected to much deeper native territorial traditions.

Scotland’s 34 historic counties form the country’s most enduring geographical framework, with origins stretching back through many centuries of Scottish history. From Shetland and Caithness in the north to Wigtownshire and Berwickshire in the south, the counties remain important to local identity, culture, heritage, sport, genealogy and place description. Local government legislation created and altered council areas, but did not replace the underlying geographic counties. Explore all 34 counties and their boundaries at RealCounties.com.

NEW FEATURES on our interactive map! As well as browsing the counties, you can search, compare councils & lieutenancies, view census data & even switch on the original 19th-century @OrdnanceSurvey First Edition mapping! Find it at RealCounties.com View article

England’s 39 historic counties form the country’s most enduring geographical framework, with identities and boundaries rooted in centuries of history. From Northumberland and Cumberland in the north to Cornwall and Kent in the south, the counties remain important to local identity, culture, sport, genealogy and place description. Changes to local government created and altered council areas, but did not replace the underlying geographic counties. Explore all 39 counties and their boundaries at RealCounties.com.

Ireland’s 32 historic counties form one of the island’s most enduring geographical frameworks, grouped within the four provinces of Ulster, Leinster, Munster and Connacht. Six counties lie within Northern Ireland and the other 26 within the Republic of Ireland. The 32 counties remain an important part of Ireland’s geography, heritage, culture, sport and local identity. Explore the counties and their boundaries at RealCounties.com.

Celebrated every 1 October, Lincolnshire Day marks the anniversary of the Lincolnshire Rising of 1536 and is a day to celebrate the county’s rich history, heritage, landscapes and communities. From the Humber to the Wash, today is a celebration of Lincolnshire in all its breadth - and of a county identity that continues to unite people across the county. Happy Lincolnshire Day!

Where, until now, could the Speaker’s Office have gone to obtain a definitive list of parliamentary constituencies by historic county? There was no obvious answer. Now there is. 👇

Think England was divided only into hundreds? Not everywhere! Across Lincolnshire, the equivalent historic subdivisions were known as wapentakes - a name reflecting the strong Scandinavian influence on this part of England. The 1851 Census recorded 29 wapentakes across Lindsey, Kesteven and Holland. Detailed interactive version at RealCounties.com

🗺️ COUNTY QUIZ 🗺️ Can you identify the highlighted county from its outline alone? No place names, no clues - just the county boundary. Put your answer in the comments. 👇

Think only Yorkshire has Ridings? 🤔 Think again! Lincolnshire has them too. Lindsey - one of Lincolnshire’s three 'Parts', alongside Kesteven and Holland - is itself divided into the North, South and West Ridings. Detailed interactive version at RealCounties.com

As this county has a few different expressions of its name, we'll list them all! The answer is: 1. County of Brecon 2. County of Brecknock 3. Breconshire 4. Brecknockshire 5. Sir Frycheiniog 6. Brycheiniog Thanks to all who took part - look out for the next one coming soon!

This is great to see - and we are grateful for @MScroghamMP's support, but her constituency is actually 52% Cumberland, 48% Lancashire and 0% Westmorland. By contrast, @LizziCollinge's Morecambe & Lunesdale constituency, while 50% Lancs & 26% Yorkshire, is 24% Westmorland.