If you want the long story: The suffix “-shire” comes from Old English scīr , meaning a division or administrative area. Most of these are historic counties in England, though some are still ceremonial or administrative today.
There are UK counties (including traditional and ceremonial counties) ending in “-shire.” how many uk counties end in shire
If you’d like the full list of the 24, just let me know. If you want the long story: The suffix
Here’s the short answer: