Thain of the Shire

Thain of the Shire was a largely honorary title of leaders of The Shire from T.A. 1979 (379 in Shire-reckoning) through the end of the Third Age and beyond. The first holder of the title was Bucca of the Marish, and the Oldbucks kept the title until Gorhendad Oldbuck moved to Buckland in T.A. 2340, changed his name to Brandybuck, and became the first Master of Buckland. After that time, the title of Thain was held by the Took family, with Peregrin Took (Pippin) inheriting it on the death of his father in F.A. 13 (1434 in Shire-reckoning).