Historic county of Wales
Flintshire
Sir y Fflint
Dee estuary north, hill country within — and Maelor Saesneg beyond.
Flintshire / Sir y Fflint has a geography in two substantial parts. Its main body occupies the north-eastern edge of Wales beside the Dee estuary, with coastal and industrial country giving way inland to lower hills and valleys.
Separately lies Maelor Saesneg, the eastern portion of Flintshire beyond intervening Denbighshire. This is not an ordinary detached fragment and should not be reassigned according to modern roads, councils or convenience. Both territories belong to the same geographic county.
- Formed from Tegeingl cantref, later expanded with parts of Maelor
- St Winifride's Well, shrine since 12th Century
- Flint Castle built 1277
- Area: 260 sq miles / 673 sq km
- Population: 215,390
- County Top: Moel Famau (1,817ft / 555m)
County geography
Current Census
Contemporary Census profile
England and Wales Census 2021. Detailed contemporary statistics are available in the Geographic County Census Explorer.
- Population density
- 849.8 people per sq mi (328.1 people per km²)
- Population
- 220,764
Dee-side Flintshire
The main body faces the Dee estuary and Irish Sea, producing a strong maritime and industrial northern edge.
Inland the landscape becomes progressively hillier, linking the coast with the eastern approaches to the Clwydian country.
Mineral and industrial landscape
Coal, lead and other mineral resources helped create an industrial belt across parts of Flintshire.
That history grew directly from the county’s geology, just as agriculture and settlement developed differently in the lower and more fertile districts.
Maelor Saesneg
Maelor Saesneg forms Flintshire’s substantial separated eastern portion.
Its lower, more open landscape differs from much of the main body, but separation does not make it another county. Its relationship with Flintshire is an integral part of the county’s historical geography.
County questions
Questions about Flintshire
Why is Maelor Saesneg part of Flintshire when it is separated from the main body?
Because geographical continuity is not a requirement of county identity. Maelor Saesneg is a substantial separated portion of Flintshire and remains part of the county.
Is the present Flintshire council area the same as geographic Flintshire?
No. It is a separate local-government area and does not reproduce the geographic county.
County record
Names and continuity
- Formal name
- County of Flint
- Local name
- Sir y Fflint
- Foundation
- 1284
Flintshire and Sir y Fflint are forms associated with the county. Its main Dee-side body and Maelor Saesneg together form one enduring geographic county.