When the first county councils were set up in 1889, they covered newly created entities known as administrative counties.

The reform caused the geographic counties to be defined separately once again, and they became known as ceremonial counties.

The whole of England is divided into 48 ceremonial counties, which are also known as geographic counties.

After the conquest these sub-divisions of the country became known as counties.

Although not actually used in the Act, these areas have come to be known as "ceremonial counties".

Since 1974 six conurbations (outside London) have been known as metropolitan counties, each divided into metropolitan districts.

Although not actually defined as such, these areas have become known as ceremonial counties.

The "shire counties" were also created in 1974 and are legally known as non-metropolitan counties.

The lieutenancies it established became known as ceremonial counties, since they were no longer administrative divisions.

They are alternatively known as ancient counties and traditional counties.