List of counties and boroughs of the unreformed House of Commons in 1800

This is a list of the counties and boroughs of the Unreformed House of Commons

  • In the following tables, the size of the electorate is shown as it was estimated to be in about 1800. These figures are estimates only, particularly in seats which were rarely contested.
  • In England, Scotland and Wales, there were 29 general elections between 1700 and the Reform Act of 1832. In Ireland, there were 11 elections between the Act of Union in 1801 and 1832. The figure under “Times contested” is the number of general elections at which the seat was contested during these periods. By-elections are not counted.
  • The dominant families in the counties gradually changed over time. They are shown as they were around 1800.
  • Monmouthshire was an English county from its formation in 1536, although it is in most respects Welsh and was formally made part of Wales in 1974.

English counties

CountyVoters (1800)Times contestedDominant interestsComments
Bedfordshire2,00014Russell, St JohnUnder the dominant influence of the Duke of Bedford, head of the Russell family, Bedfordshire was a Whig stronghold.
Berkshire3,00011Dundas, Neville, VansittartThere was no single dominant family. The seats were usually shared between Tories and Whigs.
Buckinghamshire4,00010Cavendish Bentinck, GrenvilleThe Grenvilles, led after 1821 by the Duke of Buckingham, and the Cavendish-Bentincks, led by the Duke of Portland, shared the representation. There was only one contest between 1734 and 1831.
Cambridgeshire3,0009Manners, YorkeThe Tory Manners family, led by the Duke of Rutland, dominated the county until 1830, when two Whigs were elected.
Cheshire5,0008Cholmondeley, Crewe, EgertonUncontested between 1734 and 1831, Cheshire was a Tory stronghold, the representation shared among the leading families by agreement.
Cornwall2,7005Lemon, St Aubyn, Tremaine, VyvyanCornwall’s 21 boroughs attracted candidates from all over the country, but the county seats were rarely contested, since the Whig Lemons and the Tory Tremaines usually shared the representation.
Cumberland4,0006Fletcher, LowtherThe dominant northern family, the Tory Lowthers, always controlled one seat. The other usually went to a Whig family such as the Fletchers. Contests were rare.
Derbyshire3,0004Cavendish, Curzon, MundyThe Whig Cavendish family, led by the Duke of Devonshire, always nominated one member, leaving the other to the local Tory families. As a result of this arrangement contests were very rare.
Devon8,0006Acland, BastardDespite the large electorate, the county was not contested between 1700 and 1790, being dominated by the Tory Aclands and Bastards. The Tories were dramatically overthrown in 1831 when Lord John Russell won a seat.
Dorset3,0004Chaffin, Pitt, Portman, StangwaysThere was no one dominant family, although one of the members was usually a Tory Pitt. There was no contest between 1727 and 1806.
County Durham3,5006Eden, VaneMost of the local families were Whigs, and usually shared the representation among themselves, making contests rare.
Essex6,00012Abdy, Bullock, BramstonEssex was a large and wealthy county, close to the metropolis, and saw regular contests, usually when the Whig Bullocks and the Tory Bramstons could not agree on candidates.
Gloucestershire6,0009Berkeley, Guise, SomersetThe Tory Somersets, led by the Duke of Beaufort, and two Whig families, the Berkeleys and their cousins the Guises, conducted a long feud in the county, which ended in an agreement in 1783 to share the representation. Thereafter there were no contests until 1832.
Hampshire5,0008Heathcote, Jervoise, ThistlethwayteThe Tory Heathcotes and the Whig Jervoises and Thistlethwaytes were regular rivals, with the Whig Duke of Bedford using his influence in the county to assist his allies. But the Tories usually controlled the representation until being overthrown in 1831.
Herefordshire3,5008Cornewall, Cotterell, HarleyThe Whig Cornewalls and the Tory Harleys dominated the county until 1802, when the Tory Cotterells entered the fray. Thereafter the Tories usually controlled the representation.
Hertfordshire4,00013Brand, Plumer, SeabrightBeing close to London, Hertfordshire saw regular contests. Despite the presence of the Tory magnate the Marquess of Salisbury, the county families were mostly Whigs and after 1803 they fended off the Tories at every election.
Huntingdonshire1,7009MontagueThe Tory Montague family, led by the Earl of Sandwich, was the dominant force in this small county, although sometimes rival members of the same family gave the Sandwich interest trouble. Only in 1831 did the Whigs manage to win a seat.
Kent9,00014KnatchbullThe Tory Knatchbulls were the leading county family, but the county's size, wealth and proximity to London made it impossible to control and there were frequent contests, often between East Kent and West Kent interests. The government, through the Admiralty's influence in the Kent ports, also had a big say.
Lancashire8,0005Blackburn, StanleyThe Stanleys, led by the Earl of Derby (at this time a Whig) dominated the county. One seat was nearly always held by a Stanley relative, the other by one of the leading Tory families.
Leicestershire6,0007Keck, Manners, PalmerThe representation was divided between the Tory Manners family, led by the Duke of Rutland, and local families, who were also mostly Tories.
Lincolnshire7,0004Chaplin, Heathcote, PelhamA large agricultural county, Lincolnshire had no dominant interest, but the Pelhams, relatives of the Duke of Newcastle, usually held one seat for the Whigs. The Chaplins were the leading Tory family. There was no contest between 1710 and 1806.
Middlesex6,00014NoneBy 1800 the Middlesex electorate was more than 70% urban as the London suburbs grew, and the remaining landed families lost their influence. The county was frequently and hotly contested, with radicals such as John Wilkes, Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Baronet and Joseph Hume being elected.
Monmouthshire1,5004Morgan, SomersetThe Tory Somersets, led by the Duke of Beaufort, shared the representation with the leading local Whigs, the Morgans. There were no contests after 1727.
Norfolk7,0008Astley, Coke, WodehouseNorfolk was a large county and expensive to contest, so the Whig Astleys and Cokes and the Tory Wodehouses usually shared the representation.
Northamptonshire3,0005Cartwright, Powys, SpencerThe Whig relatives of Earl Spencer were the most prominent county family, but did not dominate county politics until after 1806, when Viscount Althorp was elected. The Tory Cartwrights usually held the other seat.
Northumberland2,0006Grey, PercyThe Tory Percys, led by the Duke of Northumberland, shared the representation with the Whig Greys, led by Charles Grey, who sat for the county until he became Earl Grey in 1807.
Nottinghamshire3,0004Bentinck, PierrepontThe Duke of Newcastle and the Duke of Portland, both Whigs, dominated the county until well into the 19th century, which was why there was no contest after 1722. The Newcastle seat was usually held by a Pierrepont.
Oxfordshire4,0004SpencerThe Tory Spencers, family of the Duke of Marlborough, dominated the county from their seat at Blenheim Palace. One seat was usually held by a Spencer, the other by a local family acceptable to the Duke. Between 1700 and 1826 there was only one contest.
Rutland8007Finch, NoelThis small county was controlled, not by the Duke of Rutland, but by local Tory families. There was no contest after 1761.
Shropshire4,0007Cotes, Hill, Lyster, PowellShropshire was a rural county dominated by local families, mostly Tories, although the Whig Coteses sometimes held a seat.
Somerset9,0006Acland, Coxe, Dickinson, LangtonLocal families shared the representation, usually in a way which meant that one member came from East Somerset and one from the West. The Tory Dickinsons and the Whig Langtons were prominent.
Staffordshire5,0003Leveson Gower, LittletonThere were few contests in Staffordshire, despite the county’s rapid industrialisation, because the representation was shared between two Whig families, the Leveson Gowers and the Littletons.
Suffolk5,0007Bunbury, Davers, GoochThere was no dominant interest, and local families such as the Whig Bunburys and the Tory Gooches usually shared the representation.
Surrey4,00017NoneBeing close to London and densely settled, Surrey was not open to domination by landed interests, and saw frequent contests, with the Tories usually successful until their final overthrow in 1826.
Sussex5,00012Lennox, PelhamThe Pelhams, Whig relatives of the Duke of Newcastle, and the Tory Lennoxes, led by the Duke of Richmond, dominated West and East Sussex respectively, but there were frequent contests. Prime Minister Henry Pelham represented the county from 1722 to 1747.
Warwickshire4,0002Dugdale, Lawley, MordauntWarwickshire was contested only in 1705 and 1774. This was because of an agreement that one member should always be a Whig from Birmingham (which had no representation) and the other a Tory from a county family, usually a Mordaunt.
Westmorland2,40011LowtherThe Tory Lowther family was completely dominant in the county and usually nominated both members. After 1818 there were regular contests only because Henry Brougham insisted on running against the Lowthers.
Wiltshire5,0005Long, WyndhamThere was no aristocratic influence in Wiltshire and the county families, mostly Tories, amicably shared the representation.
Worcestershire3,5005Foley, Lygon, Lyttleton, WardThere were few contests in Worcestershire, because the Tory Lygons, led by Earl Beauchamp, and the Whig Foleys usually shared the representation.
Yorkshire20,0006Fitzwilliam, LascellesContests were surprisingly rare in England’s largest and most populous county, partly because of the expense. No one family had enough influence to elect a member. Until 1784 there was an agreement between the Whigs and Tories to share the representation, but from 1784 to 1812 William Wilberforce and his personal brand of reforming Toryism dominated the county. In 1830 Henry Brougham stormed the county for the Whigs.

English boroughs

In alphabetical order by county

BoroughCountyFranchise typeMembersVoters in 1800Times contestedFate in 1832
BedfordBedfordshireFreemen and
inhabitant householders
21,20013Retained two seats
AbingdonBerkshireScot and lot126018Retained one seat
New WindsorBerkshireScot and lot2300 to 4007Retained two seats (as Windsor)
ReadingBerkshireScot and lot2over 80018Retained two seats
WallingfordBerkshireScot and lot220014Retained one seat
AmershamBuckinghamshireScot and lot21303Abolished
AylesburyBuckinghamshireInhabitant householders. From 1804,
freeholders in nearby areas as well.
2500. After 1804, over 1,00017Retained two seats
BuckinghamBuckinghamshireCorporation2134Retained two seats
Chipping WycombeBuckinghamshireFreemen2503Retained two seats (as Wycombe)
Great MarlowBuckinghamshireScot and lot222019Retained two seats (as Marlow)
WendoverBuckinghamshireInhabitant householders21509Abolished
CambridgeCambridgeshireFreemen21009Retained two seats
ChesterCheshireFreemen21,50011Retained two seats
DoverCinque PortsFreemen21,50015Retained two seats
HastingsCinque PortsResident freemen2207Retained two seats
HytheCinque PortsFreemen220017Retained one seat
New RomneyCinque PortsCorporation215Abolished
RyeCinque PortsScot and lot2159Retained one seat
SandwichCinque PortsFreemen270012Retained two seats
SeafordCinque PortsScot and lot212012Abolished
WinchelseaCinque PortsResident freemen2very few8Abolished
BodminCornwallCorporation2369Retained two seats
BossineyCornwallFreemen2103Abolished
CallingtonCornwallScot and lot2608Abolished
CamelfordCornwallScot and lot2254Abolished
East LooeCornwallFreemen2502Abolished
FoweyCornwallScot and lot21308Abolished
GrampoundCornwallScot and lot2605Disfranchised 1821
HelstonCornwallCorporation2506Retained one seat
LauncestonCornwallResident freemen2205Retained one seat
LiskeardCornwallFreemen2322Retained one seat
LostwithielCornwallCorporation2245Abolished
MitchellCornwallScot and lot2209Abolished
NewportCornwallScot and lot2603Abolished
PenrynCornwallScot and lot225017Retained two seats (as Penryn and Falmouth)
St GermansCornwallResident householders2100Abolished
St IvesCornwallScot and lot225017Retained one seat
St MawesCornwallFreemen2205Abolished
SaltashCornwallBurgage holders2407Abolished
TregonyCornwallInhabitant householders220012Abolished
TruroCornwallCorporation2256Retained two seats
West LooeCornwallFreemen2700Abolished
CarlisleCumberlandFreemen270016Retained two seats
CockermouthCumberlandBurgage holders22008Retained two seats
DerbyDerbyshireFreemen26508Retained two seats
AshburtonDevonBurgage holders21009Retained one seat
BarnstapleDevonFreemen250016Retained two seats
Bere AlstonDevonBurgage holders2very few0Abolished
DartmouthDevonFreemen2404Retained one seat
ExeterDevonFreemen and freeholders21,30013Retained two seats
HonitonDevonHouseholders245017Retained two seats
OkehamptonDevonFreemen and freeholders22508Abolished
PlymouthDevonFreemen22006Retained two seats
Plympton ErleDevonFreemen2503Abolished
TavistockDevonFreeholders21005Retained two seats
TivertonDevonCorporation2242Retained two seats
TotnesDevonFreemen28011Retained two seats
BridportDorsetScot and lot225015Retained two seats
Corfe CastleDorsetScot and lot2502Abolished
DorchesterDorsetRatepayers220010Retained two seats
Lyme RegisDorsetFreemen2408Retained one seat
PooleDorsetFreemen21208Retained two seats
ShaftesburyDorsetScot and lot235018Retained one seat
WarehamDorsetScot and lot21205Retained one seat
Weymouth and Melcombe RegisDorsetFreeholders460014Retained two seats
DurhamCounty DurhamFreemen21,0009Retained two seats
ColchesterEssexFreemen21,40023Retained two seats
HarwichEssexCorporation2325Retained two seats
MaldonEssexFreemen2150 until 1810, 1,500 after14Retained two seats
BristolGloucestershireFreemen and freeholders25,00019Retained two seats
CirencesterGloucestershireHouseholders260015Retained two seats
GloucesterGloucestershireFreemen22,00014Retained two seats
TewkesburyGloucestershireFreemen and freeholders25008Retained two seats
AndoverHampshireCorporation2249Retained two seats
ChristchurchHampshireCorporation2245Retained one seat
LymingtonHampshireFreemen2202Retained two seats
NewportHampshireCorporation2243Retained two seats
NewtownHampshireBurgage holders2392Abolished
PetersfieldHampshireBurgage holders2508Retained one seat
PortsmouthHampshireFreemen21007Retained two seats
SouthamptonHampshireScot and lot270014Retained two seats
StockbridgeHampshireScot and lot21409Abolished
WhitchurchHampshireBurgage holders2706Abolished
WinchesterHampshireFreemen21008Retained two seats
YarmouthHampshireCorporation2212Abolished
HerefordHerefordshireFreemen21,00014Retained two seats
LeominsterHerefordshireScot and lot260020Retained two seats
WeobleyHerefordshireBurgage holders21008Abolished
HertfordHertfordshireFreemen260012Retained two seats
St AlbansHertfordshireFreemen260019Retained two seats
HuntingdonHuntingdonshireFreemen22008Retained two seats
CanterburyKentFreemen21,70023Retained two seats
MaidstoneKentFreemen270028Retained two seats
QueenboroughKentFreemen215015Abolished
RochesterKentFreemen270022Retained two seats
ClitheroeLancashireBurgage holders21025Retained one seat
LancasterLancashireFreemen22,00010Retained two seats
LiverpoolLancashireFreemen23,00024Retained two seats
NewtonLancashireFreemen2500Abolished
PrestonLancashireFreemen until 1768, inhabitants thereafter22,00016Retained two seats
WiganLancashireFreemen210010Retained two seats
LeicesterLeicestershireScot and lot22,50013Retained two seats
BostonLincolnshireScot and lot250016Retained two seats
GranthamLincolnshireFreemen280012Retained two seats
Great GrimsbyLincolnshireResident freemen230021Retained one seat
LincolnLincolnshireFreemen21,20019Retained two seats
StamfordLincolnshireScot and lot26506Retained two seats
LondonMiddlesexFreemen410,00027Retained four seats
WestminsterMiddlesexScot and lot212,00019Retained two seats
Monmouth Boroughs
(Monmouth, Newport, Usk)
MonmouthshireFreemen18003Retained one seat
Castle RisingNorfolkBurgage holders2501Abolished
Great YarmouthNorfolkFreemen21,20019Retained two seats
King's LynnNorfolkFreeman23005Retained two seats
NorwichNorfolkFreemen and freeholders23,00023Retained two seats
ThetfordNorfolkCorporation2313Retained two seats
BrackleyNorthamptonshireCorporation2336Abolished
Higham FerrersNorthamptonshireFreemen1501Abolished
NorthamptonNorthamptonshireHouseholders21,00016Retained two seats
PeterboroughNorthamptonshireScot and lot24007Retained two seats
Berwick-upon-TweedNorthumberlandFreemen21,00014Retained two seats
MorpethNorthumberlandFreemen22008Retained one seat
Newcastle-upon-TyneNorthumberlandFreemen22,5009Retained two seats
East RetfordNottinghamshireFreemen216015Seats transferred to Bassetlaw in 1827, retained two seats in 1832.
Newark-on-TrentNottinghamshireScot and lot21,00015Retained two seats
NottinghamNottinghamshireFreemen and freeholders24,00022Retained two seats
BanburyOxfordshireCorporation1185Retained one seat
New WoodstockOxfordshireFreemen21809Retained one seat (as Woodstock)
OxfordOxfordshireFreemen21,40014Retained two seats
Bishop's CastleShropshireResident freemen217012Abolished
BridgnorthShropshireFreemen27009Retained two seats
LudlowShropshireFreemen25009Retained two seats
ShrewsburyShropshireScot and lot275017Retained two seats
WenlockShropshireResident freemen24003Retained two seats
BathSomersetCorporation23016Retained two seats
BridgwaterSomersetScot and lot235016Retained two seats
IlchesterSomersetHouseholders210016Abolished
Milborne PortSomersetScot and lot210015Abolished
MineheadSomersetHouseholders230010Abolished
TauntonSomersetHouseholders250015Retained two seats
WellsSomersetFreemen225012Retained two seats
LichfieldStaffordshireScot and lot270010Retained two seats
Newcastle-under-LymeStaffordshireResident freemen270016Retained two seats
StaffordStaffordshireResident freemen260015Retained two seats
TamworthStaffordshireScot and lot235011Retained two seats
AldeburghSuffolkFreemen2804Abolished
Bury St EdmundsSuffolkCorporation21711Retained two seats
DunwichSuffolkFreemen2325Abolished
EyeSuffolkScot and lot22002Retained one seat
IpswichSuffolkFreemen270021Retained two seats
OrfordSuffolkFreemen2207Abolished
SudburySuffolkFreemen275022Retained two seats
BletchingleySurreyBurgage holders2902Abolished
GattonSurreyScot and lot271Abolished
GuildfordSurreyScot and lot215014Retained two seats
HaslemereSurreyResident freeholders26513Abolished
ReigateSurreyFreeholders22005Retained one seat
SouthwarkSurreyScot and lot22,50024Retained two seats
ArundelSussexScot and lot23009Retained one seat
BramberSussexBurgage holders2368Abolished
ChichesterSussexScot and lot260012Retained two seats
East GrinsteadSussexBurgage holders2365Abolished
HorshamSussexBurgage holders2709Retained one seat
LewesSussexScot and lot230016Retained two seats
MidhurstSussexBurgage holders21182Retained one seat
New ShorehamSussex40 shilling freeholders21,00013Retained two seats
SteyningSussexScot and lot215010Abolished
CoventryWarwickshireFreemen22,70025Retained two seats
WarwickWarwickshireRatepayers25008Retained two seats
ApplebyWestmorlandBurgage holders22006Abolished
CalneWiltshireCorporation2179Retained one seat
ChippenhamWiltshireBurgage holders212912Retained two seats
CrickladeWiltshireFreeholders (in five adjacent hundreds)21,20019Retained two seats
DevizesWiltshireCorporation2357Retained two seats
DowntonWiltshireBurgage holders21006Abolished
Great BedwynWiltshireFreeholders21208Abolished
HeytesburyWiltshireBurgage holders2262Abolished
HindonWiltshireHouseholders220012Abolished
LudgershallWiltshireFreeholders21007Abolished
MalmesburyWiltshireCorporation21310Retained one seat
MarlboroughWiltshireCorporation2127Retained two seats
Old SarumWiltshireBurgage holders2102Abolished
SalisburyWiltshireCorporation25410Retained two seats
WestburyWiltshireBurgage holders2709Retained one seat
WiltonWiltshireCorporation2203Retained one seat
Wootton BassettWiltshireScot and lot225015Abolished
BewdleyWorcestershireFreemen1137Retained one seat
DroitwichWorcestershireCorporation2251Retained one seat
EveshamWorcestershireFreemen270019

Retained two seats

WorcesterWorcestershireFreemen22,00019Retained two seats
AldboroughYorkshireScot and lot2603Abolished
BeverleyYorkshireFreemen21,40019Retained two seats
BoroughbridgeYorkshireBurgage holders2646Abolished
HedonYorkshireFreemen220010Abolished
Kingston-upon-HullYorkshireFreemen22,00017Retained two seats
KnaresboroughYorkshireBurgage holders2963Retained two seats
MaltonYorkshireScot and lot25004Retained two seats
NorthallertonYorkshireBurgage holders22002Retained one seat
PontefractYorkshireHouseholders260015Retained two seats
RichmondYorkshireBurgage holders22704Retained two seats
RiponYorkshireBurgage holders21462Retained two seats
ScarboroughYorkshireCorporation2408Retained two seats
ThirskYorkshireBurgage holders2500Retained one seat
YorkYorkshireFreemen22,50012Retained two seats

Welsh counties

CountyVoters in 1800Times contestedDominant interestsComments
Anglesey7002PagetAnglesey was effectively controlled by the Whig Paget family, led by the Earl of Uxbridge.
Brecknockshire1,7003Morgan, WoodThe long-dominant Morgan family, absentee landlords from Tredegar, were displaced in 1806 by the Tory Wood family, who thereafter held the seat with little opposition.
Cardiganshire1,0002Johnes, PowellThe Whig Johnes family were displaced by the Tory Powells in 1816. There was no contest after 1741.
Carmarthenshire2,5003Rice, Seymour, VaughanThe seat was passed around among several local families, all Tories, until a Whig breakthrough in 1831.
Carnarvonshire1,1003Williams, WynnTwo local families, the Whig Williamses and the Tory Wynnes, vied for control. Sir Robert Williams held the seat for 36 years from 1790.
Denbighshire2,0001Williams WynnThe Whig Williams Wynn family had unchallenged control of the representation. Sir Watkin Williams Wynn held the seat from 1796 to 1840.
Flintshire1,0001MostynThe Whig Mostyn family controlled the seat all through the 18th century, and were not defeated until 1837.
Glamorganshire2,0002Morgan, StuartGlamorgan was the richest county in Wales and the most difficult to control. The Tory Stuarts, the family of the Marquess of Bute, had extensive interests in the county, and supported Tory members such as Thomas Wyndham, MP from 1789 to 1814.
Merionethshire1,0000VaughanThe Tory Vaughans held the seat without opposition through the entire 18th century and were not displaced until 1836.
Montgomeryshire1,4001Mostyn, Williams WynnThe county was not contested between 1700 and 1836. The Williams Wynn family (who in Montgomeryshire were Tories) held the seat without challenge from 1795.
Pembrokeshire3,0003Owen, PhillippsThe Tory Owens and the Whig Phillippses, led by Baron Milford, vied for control of the representation. Sir John Owen won the seat in 1812 and held it until 1841.
Radnorshire1,0003Johnes, WilkinsTwo Whig families, the Johneses and the Wilkinses, succeeded each other in the representation.

Welsh boroughs

BoroughCountyFranchise typeMembersVoters in 1800Times contestedFate in 1832
BeaumarisAngleseyCorporation1240Retained one seat
BreconBrecknockshireFreemen1120Retained one seat
Caernarvon Boroughs
(Caernarvon, Conway, Criccieth, Nevin, Pwllheli)
CaernarvonshireFreemen17002Retained one seat
Cardiff Boroughs
(Aberavon, Cardiff, Cowbridge, Kenfig, Llantrisant, Loughor, Neath, Swansea)
GlamorganshireFreemen18002Retained one seat
Cardigan Boroughs
(Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Lampeter)
CardiganshireFreemen12,5003Retained one seat
CarmarthenCarmarthenshireFreemen15005Retained one seat
Denbigh Boroughs
(Denbigh, Holt, Ruthin)
DenbighshireFreemen1244Retained one seat
Flint Boroughs
(Caergwrle, Caerwys, Flint, Overton, Rhuddlan)
FlintshireScot and lot16003Retained one seat
HaverfordwestPembrokeshireScot and lot15003Retained one seat
MontgomeryMontgomeryshireFreemen15001Retained one seat
New Radnor Boroughs
(Cefnllys, Cnwclas, Knighton, New Radnor, Rhayader)
RadnorshireFreemen11,0004Retained one seat
Pembroke Boroughs
(Pembroke, Tenby, Wiston)
PembrokeshireFreemen15002Retained one seat

Scottish counties

CountyVoters in 1800Times contestedDominant interestsCommentsFate in 1832
Aberdeenshire1405GordonThe Tory Dukes of Gordon were the dominant interest in the county, retaining control through the creation of fictitious or "parchment" voters.Retained one seat
Argyllshire450CampbellThe control of the Dukes of Argyll, who until the 1830s were Whigs, was complete and unchallenged.Retained one seat
Ayrshire1401Fergusson, MontgomerieAyrshire had a large electorate by Scottish standards, and several local families vied for control. Chief of these were the Tory Montgomeries, led by the Earl of Eglinton.Retained one seat
Banffshire351Duff, GrantThe Duff family of the Earl of Fife were the strongest influence in the county – Fife (who was technically an Irish peer) sat for the seat himself, then handed it over to his natural son. Later Sir William Grant supplanted the Fife influence.Retained one seat
Berwickshire1202Home, Hume-CampbellA long rivalry between the Homes and Humes ended in 1784, and thereafter several local Tory families competed for support. The county did not elect a Whig until 1832.Retained one seat
Buteshire and CaithnessButeshire 15, Caithness 200Stuart in Bute, Sinclair in CaithnessThese two small counties returned members at alternate elections. The Tory Stuarts, led by the Earl of Bute, controlled Bute, while the Whig Sinclairs dominated Caithness (and still do: John Thurso, the member for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross from 2001 until 2015, is a Sinclair).Bute and Caithness were given one seat each.
Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shireClackmannan 15, Kinross 150Abercromby in Clackmannanshire, Graham in KinrossThese two small counties returned members at alternate elections. The Whig Abercrombys controlled Clackmannan while the Tory Grahams controlled Kinross. There were no contests.Retained one seat between them
Cromartyshire and NairnshireCromarty 10, Nairn 202Macleod in Cromarty, Brodie and Campbell in NairnThese two small counties returned members at alternate elections, tiny Cromarty always struggling to find any voters at all. The Whig Campbells dominated Nairn from the 1760s to the 1830s.Cromarty was paired with Ross-shire and given one seat, while Nairn was paired with Elgin and given one seat.
Dumfriesshire601DouglasThe Douglas family of the Duke of Queensberry were the dominant force in this their home county, but did not usually represent the county themselves, rather supporting government nominees.Retained one seat
Dunbartonshire505Campbell, Elphinstone, GrahamThe Duke of Argyll and the Grahams led by the Duke of Montrose both had an interest in the county, which they used to install relatives and supporters, causing more contests than usual in a Scottish county.Retained one seat
Edinburghshire (or Midlothian)1002DundasThe Dundas family, led by the Tory party's Scottish manager Henry Dundas, had complete control of the county. Dundas held the seat himself from 1774 to 1790, when he was succeeded by his son.Retained one seat
Elginshire (or Morayshire)401GrantThe Tory Grant family monopolised the representation all through the 18th century, and usually nominated family members.Retained one seat, with Nairnshire
Fifeshire1604NoneFife was one of the largest and wealthiest counties, and there were no dominant local interests. The government, represented by Henry Dundas, was usually able to muster enough support for the Tory nominee, but in 1820 the Whigs won the seat and generally retained it thereafter.Retained one seat
Forfarshire (or Angus)1001Douglas, MauleThe Whig Maule family, led by the Earls of Panmure, dominated the representation from the 1740s to 1831.Retained one seat
Haddingtonshire (or East Lothian)702HamiltonThe Hamilton family led by the Earl of Haddington had a strong but not controlling interest in the county. The government, represented by Henry Dundas, was often able to nominate the member, including Dundas's brother-in-law.Retained one seat
Inverness-shire501Fraser, Gordon, GrantInverness was a large county and difficult to control, particularly since the Fraser clan created many "parchment" voters to support their claims. From 1802, however, the Tory Grants dominated the county.Retained one seat
Kincardineshire404Adam, Drummond, IrvineThere was no dominant influence in the county, and the represented by Henry Dundas, controlled the representation until 1806, when a Whig was elected.Retained one seat
Kirkcudbright Stewartry (or Kirkcudbrightshire)1403Murray, StewartThe Stewarts, led by the Earl of Galloway, were the most influential family, but rarely nominated family members, instead bargaining with Henry Dundas for government favours in exchange for supporting his nominee. The seat fell to the Whigs in 1826.Retained one seat
Lanarkshire1008HamiltonThe Duke of Hamilton was the dominant influence in the county, and from 1802 he installed his son, a Whig, in the seat. The Tories were unable to regain the seat until 1830.Retained one seat
Linlithgowshire (or West Lothian)603HopeIn 1790 the Tory manager Henry Dundas installed his brother-in-law John Hope in the seat, and the Hopes then held it without a break until 1847.Retained one seat
Orkney and Shetland263Balfour, Dundas, HonymanThe Dundas family influence was strong but not enough to shut out the rival Balfour and Honyman interests, leading to several contests. The Whigs won the seat in 1826.Retained one seat
Peeblesshire380Douglas, MontogomeryThe Dukes of Queensberry had a controlling interest, and allowed their friends the Montgomerys to sit as Tory members from 1768 to 1832.Retained one seat
Perthshire1507MurrayThe Murray family led by the Duke of Atholl were the dominant influence, but the relatively large electorate made the county difficult to control for the Tories. The sitting member was usually a Murray or a related Drummond.Retained one seat
Renfrewshire803McDowell, StewartThe county was dominated by the rivalry between the Whig Stewarts and the Tory McDowells, who had the powerful support of the Tory manager Henry Dundas. Nevertheless, the Whigs usually held the seat.Retained one seat
Ross-shire702Mackenzie, RossThe Whig Mackenzies, led by the Earl of Seaforth, were the leading family, but the Tory Rosses won the seat in 1796, and the Tories then held it until 1831.Retained one seat, paired with Cromarty
Roxburghshire1203Elliot, Ker, ScottThe Whig Elliot family dominated the representation, although the Tory Scotts, led by the Duke of Buccleuch, were frequent challengers.Retained one seat
Selkirkshire400Scottthe Tory Scotts, led by the Duke of Buccleuch, controlled the county, and their nominees held the seat until 1832.Retained one seat
Stirlingshire804Dundas, HamiltonThe Stirlingshire Dundases were Whigs and enabled the Whigs to hold the seat until 1812, when the Tories won with the support of the Duke of Hamilton.Retained one seat
Sutherlandshire251Leveson-GowerThe Duke of Sutherland owned most of the county and his influence, placed at the service of the government, was unchallengeable.Retained one seat
Wigtownshire502StewartThe Stewarts, led by the Earl of Galloway, were the most influential family, and usually supported Tories. The Whigs won the seat in 1830.Retained one seat

Scottish burghs

BoroughCountyMembersTimes contestedFate in 1832
Aberdeen Burghs
(Aberdeen, Arbroath, Brechin, Inverbervie, Montrose)
Aberdeenshire, Forfarshire, Kincardineshire11Aberdeen was given one seat, the other burghs retained one seat as Montrose Burghs.
Anstruther Burghs
(Anstruther Easter, Anstruther Wester, Crail, Kilrenny, Pittenweem)
Fifeshire11Abolished
Ayr Burghs
(Ayr, Campbeltown, Inverary, Irvine, Rothesay)
Argyllshire, Ayrshire, Buteshire10Retained one seat
Dumfries Burghs
(Annan, Kirkcudbright, Lochmaben, Sanquhar)
Dumfriesshire, Kirkcudbrightshire11Retained one seat
Dysart Burghs
(Burntisland, Dysart, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy)
Fifeshire12Retained one seat
EdinburghEdinburghshire13Given two seats
Elgin Burghs
(Banff, Cullen, Elgin, Inverurie, Kintore)
Aberdeenshire, Banffshire, Elginshire11Retained one seat
Glasgow Burghs
(Dumbarton, Glasgow, Renfrew, Rutherglen)
Dunbartonshire, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire1Abolished: Glasgow was given two seats in its own right.
Haddington Burghs
(Dunbar, Haddington, Jedburgh, Lauder, North Berwick)
Berwickshire, Haddingtonshire, Roxburghshire13Retained one seat
Inverness Burghs
(Forres, Fortrose, Inverness, Nairn)
Inverness-shire, Nairnshire, Ross-shire11Retained one seat
Linlithgow Burghs
(Lanark, Linlithgow, Peebles, Selkirk)
Lanarkshire, Linlithgowshire, Peeblesshire, Selkirkshire12Retained one seat as Falkirk Burghs
Perth Burghs
(Cupar, Dundee, Forfar, Perth, St Andrews)
Fifeshire, Forfarshire, Perthshire11Dundee and Perth were given one seat each, the other burghs retained one seat as St Andrews Burghs.
Stirling Burghs
(Culross, Inverkeithing, Queensferry, Stirling)
Fifeshire, Linlithgowshire, Perthshire, Stirlingshire13Retained one seat
Tain Burghs (or Northern Burghs)
(Dingwall, Dornoch, Kirkwall, Tain, Wick)
Caithness, Orkney, Ross-shire, Sutherlandshire12Retained one seat
Wigtown Burghs
(New Galloway, Stranraer, Whithorn, Wigtown)
Kirkcudbrightshire, Wigtownshire12Retained one seat

Irish counties

CountyVoters in 1800Times contestedDominant interestsComments
County Antrim8,0001O'Neill, SeymourThe O'Neills, led by Earl O'Neill, and the Seymours led by the Earl of Hertford, were the leading families of the county, and since both were Tories they usually agreed to share the representation.
County Armagh6,0002Acheson, Brownlow, CaulfeildThe Tory Achesons (led by Earl Gosford) and Brownlows generally shared the representation with the Whig Caulfeilds (led by the Earl of Charlemont).
County Carlow4,0001Kavanagh, LatoucheThe Kavanaghs were the most influential family, but as Catholics could not be elected, so they supported the Whig Latouches. In 1812, however, Thomas Kavanagh converted to both Protestantism and Toryism, and the county remained Tory until 1835.
County Cavan4,0003MaxwellThe Tory Maxwells, led by the Earl of Farnham, were the strongest influence in the county. One seat was usually held by a Maxwell relative, the other by other local families, also Tories, until a Whig breakthrough in 1826.
County Clare6,0005Burton, Fitzgerald, O'BrienClare had a large and turbulent electorate, and no one interest was strong enough to control it. Various branches of the O'Briens had great prestige. Until 1828 they shared the representation with the Burtons and Fitzgeralds. In that year Daniel O'Connell, the Catholic leader, won two famous by-elections, forcing the pace of Catholic Emancipation.
County Cork7,0001Bernard, Boyle, KingCork was a large county with many landed interests, the most important being the Boyle family, led by the Earl of Shannon, who controlled the representation until 1812 and generally supported the Tory government. After 1812 the Duke of Devonshire used his influence to support the Whigs, who won both seats in 1830.
County Donegal6,0002Conyngham, Hamilton, MontgomeryDonegal was dominated by rivalry between the Tory Hamiltons, led by the Marquess of Abercorn, and the Whig Conynghams led by the Marquess of Conyngham. After 1812 they shared the representation.
County Down13,0004Hill, StewartDown was dominated the Whig Hill family, led by the Marquess of Downshire, and the Tory Stewarts, led by the Marquess of Londonderry and his son Viscount Castlereagh, the Foreign Secretary, who held the seat until 1821. The other member was nearly always a Hill.
County Dublin9008Hamilton, Talbot, WhiteDublin was a small county without large landed interests, and both the government and the Church of Ireland influenced elections. Whigs and Tories shared the representation until 1826, when the Whigs won both seats.
County Fermanagh7,0005Archdall, Brooke, ColeFear of the Catholic majority made all the leading interests firm Tories, and Protestant families such as the Coles, led by the Earl of Enniskillen, dominated the representation.
County Galway13,0004De Burgh, Martin, TrenchA large and poor Catholic county, Galway was dominated by large Protestant landowners, led by the de Burgh family of the Earl of Clanricarde and Trench family, created Earls of Clancarty in 1803. The county was firmly Tory until 1830.
County Kerry5,0003Browne, Crosbie, MullinsThe largest landowner in Kerry was the Catholic Earl of Kenmare, who used his influence in support of the Whig Maurice Fitzgerald, who held the seat until 1831. The Protestant Crosbies (the Earls of Glandore) usually nominated the other member.
County Kildare2,0001FitzGerald, LatoucheThe FitzGerald family, headed by the Duke of Leinster, owned about one-fifth of the county, and used this influence to nominate one member. The other member was usually a Latouche. Both families were Whigs.
County Kilkenny2,0002Butler, PonsonbyTwo families dominated Kilkenny politics, the Butlers (Earls of Ormonde) and the Ponsonbys (Earls of Bessborough). Both families were Whigs, and they shared the representation.
King's County2,0001ParsonsThe Tory Parsons family, headed by the Earl of Rosse, were the dominant interest in the county, and kept it safely Tory until 1826.
County Leitrim5,0005Clements, Latouche, WhiteThe Tory Clements family, led by the Earl of Leitrim, were the strongest influence in the county, and usually nominated a family member to one of the seats. The Whig Latouches and Whites usually filled the other seat.
County Limerick8,5005FitzGibbon, Odell, O'GradyThe Whig FitzGibbons, led by the Earl of Clare, were the largest, but far from dominant, interest in the county. The FitzGibbons usually filled one seat, while the other county families, some of them Tories, held the other.
County Londonderry8,5002Beresford, StewartTwo Tory Protestant families, the Stewarts, led by the Marquess of Londonderry, and the Beresfords, led by the Marquess of Waterford, dominated the county, and usually shared the representation.
County Longford3,0002ParsonsThe Tory Parsons family, headed by the Earl of Rosse, were the dominant interest in the county, and used their position to support Tory members such as Sir Thomas Fetherston.
County Louth6002FosterThe Tory Foster family were the most powerful influence in this small county, and kept both seats in Tory hands until 1826.
County Mayo12,0004BrowneThe Tory Browne family headed by the Marquess of Sligo and the Whig Dillon family headed by Viscount Dillon were the leading influences in this large Catholic county. They usually shared the representation.
County Meath4,3002Bligh, Somerville, TaylourThe county was dominated by Whig families, of which the Taylours (led by the Marquess of Headfort) were the most important and usually controlled one seat. Sir Marcus Somerville held the other from 1801 to 1831.
County Monaghan3,5002Dawson, Leslie, WestenraThe Dawson family, led by Baron Cremorne, who were politically independent, usually shared the representation with the Tory Leslies. The Whig Westenras (Baron Rossmore) won a seat from 1818.
Queen's County6,0003Parnell, Wellesley PoleThe Tory Wellesley Poles, relatives of the Duke of Wellington, nearly always held one seat. The Whig Parnells held the other from 1806.
County Roscommon6,0001French, King, MahonThe King family, headed by the Earl of Kingston, were the largest interest, although they seldom contested the seats themselves, instead supporting their close Whig allies, the Frenches and Mahons.
County Sligo2,0000Cooper, O'Hara, TempleThere was no dominant interest in this poor and Catholic county. Two local families, the Tory Coopers and the Whig O'Haras, shared the representation until 1823, when the King family, headed by the Earl of Kingston, intervened.
County Tipperary18,0004Bagwell, Caher, Mathew, PrittieTwo Whig families, the Mathews, led by the Earl of Llandaff, and the Pritties, shared the representation until 1818, when they were challenged by the Tory Bagwells and Cahers.
County Tyrone20,0000Lowry-Corrie, StewartThe Tory Hamiltons, led by the Marquess of Abercorn, used their influence in support of the Lowry-Corries (related to the Earl of Belmore), who usually held one of the seats. The Whig Stewart family held the other seat until 1835.
County Waterford3,3004CavendishThe Whig Cavendish family, led by the Duke of Devonshire, were the leading landowners in the county, but as non-residents their influence was limited. They usually nominated one member, while the local Tory Beresfords nominated the other
County Westmeath3,0003Pakenham, Rochfort, SmythAll the leading local families were Tories – the Rochforts (Earls of Belvidere), the Pakenhams (Earls of Longford) and the Smyths. These three families dominated the representation until 1830.
County Wexford7,5005Alcock, Carew, Loftus, RamThe Loftus family led by the Marquess of Ely were the largest interest in the county, but after 1806 they did not represent the county themselves. The Tory Alock and Ram families held the seats until 1812, but later the Whig Carews gained the upper hand.
County Wicklow3,0000FitzwilliamThe Whig Earl Fitzwilliam was landlord to about half the county's voters and his influence was dominant. He directly nominated one member and had a right of veto over the other.

Irish boroughs

BoroughCountyFranchise typeMembersVoters in 1800Times contestedFate in 1832
ArmaghArmaghCorporation1130Retained one seat
AthloneWestmeathFreemen1800Retained one seat
Bandon BridgeCorkCorporation1130Retained one seat
BelfastAntrimCorporation1130Given two seats
CarlowCarlowCorporation1130Retained one seat
CarrickfergusAntrimFreemen18005Retained one seat
CashelTipperaryFreemen1200Retained one seat
ClonmelTipperaryFreemen1900Retained one seat
ColeraineLondonderryFreemen1400Retained one seat
CorkCorkFreemen21,7006Retained two seats
DownpatrickDown5 pound householders13006Retained one seat
DroghedaLouthFreemen16006Retained one seat
DublinDublinFreemen23,0005Retained two seats
DundalkLouthFreemen1300Retained one seat
DungannonTyroneCorporation1130Retained one seat
DungarvanWaterford5 pound householders12502Retained one seat
EnnisClareCorporation1130Retained one seat
EnniskillenFermanaghFreemen1140Retained one seat
GalwayGalwayFreemen15004Given two seats
KilkennyKilkennyFreemen11,2004Retained one seat
KinsaleCorkFreemen11761Retained one seat
LimerickLimerickFreemen11,0004Given two seats
LisburnAntrim5 pound householders1750Retained one seat
LondonderryLondonderryFreemen11,0002Retained one seat
MallowCork40 shilling freeholders15242Retained one seat
New RossWexfordFreemen1380Retained one seat
NewryDown5 pound householders15004Retained one seat
PortarlingtonQueen'sFreemen1120Retained one seat
SligoSligoCorporation1130Retained one seat
TraleeKerryCorporation1130Retained one seat
WaterfordWaterfordFreemen11,0002Given two seats
WexfordWexfordFreemen11501Retained one seat
YoughalCorkFreemen12630Retained one seat

University seats

UniversityFranchise typeMembersVoters in 1800Times contestedFate in 1832
Cambridge UniversityHolders of doctoral and master's degrees28008Retained two seats
Dublin UniversityProvost, fellows and foundation scholars1705Given two seats
Oxford UniversityHolders of doctoral and master's degrees21,1002Retained two seats

References

  • Edward Porritt, The Unreformed House of Commons - Parliamentary representation before 1832 (Cambridge University Press, 1903 - Reprint: Augustus M. Kelley, 1963) - Volume I - England and Wales - Volume II - Scotland and Ireland
  • John Brooke, The House of Commons 1754-1790 (Oxford University Press, 1964)
  • John Cannon, Parliamentary Reform 1640-1832 (Cambridge University Press, 1973)
  • J.E. Neale, The Elizabethan House of Commons (Jonathan Cape, 1949)
  • R.G. Thorne, The House of Commons 1790-1820 (Volume II, Constituencies) (Secker and Warburg, 1986)
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