High Sheriff of Cheshire
Introduction


This is a **list of Sheriffs** (and after 1 April 1974, [High Sheriffs](/wiki/High_Sheriff "High Sheriff")) of [Cheshire](/wiki/Cheshire "Cheshire").
[thumb\|right\|120px\|Arms of Cheshire](/wiki/File:Badge_of_Cheshire.svg "Badge of Cheshire.svg")
The [Sheriff](/wiki/High_Sheriff "High Sheriff") is the oldest secular office under the [Crown](/wiki/The_Crown "The Crown"). Formerly the Sheriff was the principal [law enforcement officer](/wiki/Law_officer "Law officer") in the county but over the centuries most of the responsibilities associated with the post have been transferred elsewhere or are now defunct, so that its functions are now largely ceremonial. Under the provisions of the [Local Government Act 1972](/wiki/Local_Government_Act_1972 "Local Government Act 1972"), on 1 April 1974 the office previously known as Sheriff was retitled [High Sheriff](/wiki/High_Sheriff "High Sheriff"). The High Sheriff is appointed annually, taking office in March. As of 2022, the High Sheriff of Cheshire is Jeannie France\-Hayhurst.


Why did the functions of the Sheriff change over time?