historic county

Short definition from Wiktionary

Noun

1. 1
   Any of the subdivisions of England established for administration by the Normans.
2. 2
   Any of various areas in Ireland, separate from the counties corporate, that existed in some of the larger towns and cities.
3. 3
   Any of the principal local government divisions of Scotland until 1975.
4. 4
   Any of the ancient subdivisions of Wales.