The High Sheriff of Devon is the Queen's representative for the County of Devon, a territory known as his/her bailiwick. Selected from three nominated people, they hold his office over the duration of a year. They have judicial, ceremonial and administrative functions and executes High Court Writs. The office historically was "Sheriff of Devon", changed in 1974 to "High Sheriff of Devon".
The office of Sheriff is the oldest under the crown. It is over 1000 years old, with its establishment before the Norman Conquest. It remained first in precedence in the counties, until the reign of Edward VII, when an Order in Council in 1908 gave the Lord-Lieutenant the prime office under the Crown as the Sovereign's personal representative. Under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972, on 1 April 1974 the office previously known as Sheriff was retitled High Sheriff. The High Sheriff remains the Sovereign's representative in the County for all matters relating to the Judiciary and the maintenance of law and order.
Heche
1068–1096: Baldwin de Moeles (or de Brionne)
1135–1137: Richard filius Baldwin (Richard fitz Baldwin)
1137–1142: Adelise (Alice) - wife of Richard fitz Baldwin
1142: Adelise (Alice)
1154–1157: Richard de Redvers, 2nd Earl of Devon
1157–1160: William de Boterellis
1161–1167: Hugh de Ralegh
1167–1172: Robert filius Bernardi
1173–1174: Reginald de Dunstanville, 1st Earl of Cornwall
1175: William Rufus
1177–1179: Hugh de Gundevilla
1179–1189: William Briewere
1193–1195: Sir Richard Reynolds with Henry de Furneaux
1195–1197: Henry de Furneaux
1198: William of Wrotham jointly with Torrington.
1198 John de Torrington jointly with Wrotham
1199: Hugh Bardulf
1200: William Briewere
1200: Ralph Morin
1202–1208: William Briewere with Ralph de Mora
1209–1215: Robert de Veteri Ponte replaced by Eudo de Bello Campo
1215: Henry de la Pomeray
1215: Robert de Erlegh
1217: William, Earl of Salisbury
1218: Robert de Alba Mara
1218: Robert de Curtenai
1222: Walter le Poer
1224: William Brewer the younger/ Roger de Langeford
1225: William de Ralega
1228: Roger la Zouch
1229: Adam de Cerne
1230: Ranulph de Cerne
1231: Thomas de Cyrencestria/ Thomas de la Wyle
1232: Thomas de la Wyle
1233: Robert de Vallibus, Richard de Langeford
1234: Peter de Russell
1234: Nicholas de Moels
1236–1249: Walter of Bath
1250–1251: Walter of Bathond
1252/4/7: Ralph de Willington (of Umberleigh) (Rad(olf)us de Wilton). Sheriff in 39 Henry III (1254) per Risdon, 42 Henry III(1257) per Burke.
1253–1255: William of Englefeurd
1256–1257: Gerald de Horton and Henry de Horton (son of Gerald)
1258–1259: William de Curcensay
1260–1261: Rad'us Lodescomb
1262–1269: Rad'us de Esse
1270: William de Bikels
1272–1273: Thomas Delpin
1276: Matthew de Eggleshill
1277: Thomas Delpin
1278–1279: Warenus de Sechevile
1280–1285: Thomas Delpin
1286: William de Munketun and Roger de Ingepen
1287: Robert de Wodton
1288–1291: Matthew son of John
1292: Matthew and Thomas
1293–1301: Gilbert de Knovill
