The traditional county of Westmorland, like neighbouring Lancashire, was itself a new creation during the Middle Ages. It seems to have been treated as part of Yorkshire in the 11th century, and the eventual boundaries represented a merger between an earlier entity called Westmorland, and the Barony of Kendal, which was apparently originally considered part of the Honor of Lancaster, though it did not become part of Lancashire. Kendal is also now part of Cumbria.
The original Westmorland is sometimes referred to as Westmarieland and is later referred to as the Barony of Appleby or "Northern Westmorland".
The following is an incomplete list of historical sheriffs.
Except where separately referenced, names are taken from the website of the Public Record Office in Kew. The references given are also used throughout English archives.
Between the thirteenth century and 1849, the office of sheriff was hereditary, firstly granted in perpetuity by King John to Robert de Veteripont and afterwards held by the de Clifford family and then by the Earls of Thanet, until the 11th earl died with no successors. Due to the continued absence of the earlier incumbents on military service the duties would be actually be undertaken by a trusted deputy sheriff.
The office was finally abolished in 1974 when the shrievalty of Cumbria was established.
1201. Geoffrey FitzPeter and Roger Bellocampo [Beauchamp] (under-sheriff?)(cf. The History and Antiquities of the Counties of Westmoreland and Cumberland. Vol. I)
1202. William Stutevil and Philip Escrope (under-sheriff?)
1235 John de Vieuxpont Vipont (Hereditary Sheriff 1228–1243)
c. 1230. Alexander Bachucton D/WYB/2/115
1241 Gilbert of Kirketon DDHV/70/1
1241–43 John de Veteriponte(Hereditary Sheriff 1228–1243)
Robert de Vieuxpont (Hereditary Sheriff 1243–1242)
John de Vieuxpont (Hereditary Sheriff 1242–1264)
Isobella and Idomea Vieuxpont (Hereditary Sheriffs 1264-1308?)
mid 13th century. Roger de Stokes D/WYB/2/35
before 1283 Thomas de Mussegrave D/WYB/2/38
c. 1280–1290 William de Steynton D MUS 2/10/88
c. 1283–1289 Sir Richard de Medburn D/WYB/2/42
1284 Michael de Hartcla D/WYB/2/116
1288 Robert de Morvill D/WYB/2/43
1294 Thomas de Hellebek WD D/MD 40
1312 1312 Robert de Morwyll D HC 2/11/6
1317 Henry de Warthecopp D/WYB/2/117
1320–1322 Hugh de Louther SC 8/151/7531 (Louther also served as sheriff from October 1320 to February 1322)
1322–1323 Hugh de Louther SC 8/151/7531 (Louther did hold the office from December 1322 to July 1323, and it is possible that this short term was as a result of the complaints made in this petition (List of Sheriffs, p. 150). However Louther also served as sheriff from October 1320 to February 1322)
1403–1406 Thomas Warcop SC 8/23/1108 (Thomas Warcop of Lambert's Ash was sheriff between November 1403 and October/November 1406, and again (unless this is the son?) between September/October 1417 and October 1418)
1406–1408 William de Thornburgh SC 8/23/1108 (sheriff between October/November 1406 and October/November 1408)
1417–1418 Thomas Warcop SC 8/23/1108 (Thomas Warcop of Lambert's Ash was sheriff between November 1403 and October/November 1406, and again (unless this is the son?) between September/October 1417 and October 1418)
^Round, J. H.; Turner, Ralph V. (2004). "Bardolf, Hugh (d. 1203)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 16 May 2010.