Fife, Scotland Genealogy



Fife is a maritime county in the east of Scotland, bounded on the north by the river Tay, on the east by the German Ocean, on the south by the Firth of Forth, and on the west by the counties of Perth, Kinross, and Clackmannan. It is about 48 miles in length and 18 in extreme breadth, comprising an area of 504 square miles or 322,560 acres. It was anciently part of the extensive district of Ross, but after the union of the kingdoms of the Scots and the Picts in about the year 971, it was granted by Kenneth II to Macduff for his services in subjugating the Picts, and he was appointed hereditary thane of the lands he had helped conquer. [For this reason, the county is still referred to as the Kingdom of Fife.]

The county consists of about 60 parishes and four civil districts of Cupar, Kirkcaldy, St. Andrew's and Dunfermline. Sheriff's courts are held at Cupar (the county town) for the first three and at Dunfermline for the last. Besides Cupar, the county contains fourteen royal burghs, nine other populous towns, and numerous smaller towns and villages. Many of the towns are seaports. The principal port is Kirkcaldy.

The surface of the county, which is pleasingly diversified with gentle undulations and in some parts with hills of lofty elevation, is separated by ranges of hills into several beautiful and extensive vales. The soil is rich and suitable for growing oats, wheat, barley, turnips and potatoes. Cattle and sheep are raised, as well as horses and pigs. The county abounds in coal and limestone of good quality that is largely wrought. Freestone, whinstone, and ironstone are also wrought. Lead and copper are also found but not wrought to any extent. The principal manufacture is that of linen. Flax spinning is carried on to a great extent. There is also the manufacture of paper, soap, candles, and glue, and there are iron-foundaries, tanneries, potteries, brick and tiles works, numerous bleachfields, a vitriol-work, breweries, distilleries, malting establishments, and various other works. Ship-building is carried on at the several seaport towns on the south. The commerce of the county consists of exporting cattle and sheep, produce, minerals, and various other goods.

The population in 1851 was 140,140.

(Source: Samuel Lewis' Topographical Dictionary of Scotland, 2nd ed., 1851.  FHL book 941 E5L.)

Here is a list of the historic parishes for the county of Fife. Click on the parish name to see information about records.

Maps
Click on the map at the right to see a larger version, and click again on the larger map. Next, click on the ‘Expand’ button when it appears in the lower right-hand corner of the map.

Click here to see an outline map of the parishes of Fife.

[Return to county list.]