The Act of Union 1536 continues from post (37)...
"c22. Item, that there shall be Sheriffs in every of the said shires yearly appointed by the King's Majesty; and that none of the said Sheriffs shall have their said office of sheriffwick any longer time than is used by the laws and statutes of England..."
The term "Sheriff" is thought to have its origin in the Anglo-Saxon hundred. Manorial administration, within each hundred, was handled by a man called the "reeve". He was chosen from and by the folks in the manor (villeinage), and held this position for one year. Thus he become the "shires' reeve". A full discussion of this can be found in Origins of The Common Law, by Arthur R. Hogue, pp.126-129.
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