# List of mayors of Portsmouth

This is a description of the role of The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and a list of notable Mayors and the later Lord Mayors of the city of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom.
Portsmouth had elected a mayor annually since 1531. The city was awarded the dignity of a Lord Mayoralty by letters patent dated 10 July 1928. When the city became a non-metropolitan borough in 1974 the honour was confirmed by letters patent dated 1 April 1974.

## History

Portsmouth was granted Letters Patent in 1926, providing that Portsmouth would henceforth be a city and in 1928 further letters patent provided that the Chief Magistrate should cease to be called simply Mayor and would be raised to the dignity of Lord Mayor.
Before local government reorganisation in 1974 any citizen could be Lord Mayor, although in practice it was usually a member of the council. After 1974 it was a requirement that the Lord Mayor had to be a serving member of the elected council. The Lord Mayor nominates the Lady Mayoress or Consort.

## Symbols of Office
### Coat of Arms

Portsmouth has borne its arms, comprising an azure shield bearing a gold star and crescent, for more than 700 years. The motto, 'Heaven's light, our guide', was registered in 1929. In 1970, the Portsmouth Museums Society sponsored a petition to The Earl Marshal for a grant of supporters, crest and badge to complete the city's full achievement.
The city was granted the rare privilege of bearing a maritime version echoing the Royal supporters - a sea lion and sea unicorn, reflecting Portsmouth's long association with the Crown. The unicorn wears a Naval Crown and the mighty Chain of Iron, which is a pictorial representation of the chain boom - from Tudor times, this was stretched from the Round Tower, Old Portsmouth, to Fort Blockhouse, Gosport, as a protection to Portsmouth harbour. The mural crown worn by the sea lion refers to the land defences, which surrounded Portsmouth from Elizabethan times until 1862.
Ownership of the original arms was confirmed at the Heraldic Visitations of 1622 and 1686. Various theories suggest how Portsmouth first acquired these historic arms. It was the two well-known local historians, H.T. Lilley and A.T. Everitt, who first suggested in 1921 that Portsmouth's seal was based on the arms of William de Longchamp. He was Lord Chancellor to Richard I at the time of the granting of the town's first definitive charter on 2 May 1194.

#### The Richard I connection

However, as William de Longchamp had also adopted a variation of the arms used by Richard I on his first Great Seal, there is no reason why Portsmouth should not similarly have adopted a variation of Richard's arm direct, as a compliment to the King for the favours he had shown the Town during his brief reign. Richard's first great seal showed on either side of his head a star with six wavy rays (known as an estoile) above a crescent moon.
On some specimens of his first Great Seal an eight-pointed star was used. It is not known for certain whether Richard adopted this device as a result of going on the Crusades to Palestine in 1191, or whether it was a punning reference to the star called Regulus in the constellation of Leo, which is commonly known a "Cor Leonis", or "Heart of the Lion" - a play on words on Richard's nickname.
The use of the city's arms is confined to the council. Only they can grant the use of the badge to organisations with strong links with the city. The badge comprises the city's ancient Arms on a roundel crossed by a sword and anchor to mark the city's naval and military connections.

### The Guildhall

The Lord Mayor’s official seat is The Guildhall, Guildhall Square, in which he has a suite of rooms, located on the second floor, which include the Lord Mayor's office and parlour, antechamber, Banqueting room and The Lady Mayoress' Parlour. The city’s royal charters, the three maces, gifts to the city and the civic silver collection are also on display there.
The Guildhall is also the place in which The Lord Mayor is elected, every year a 'Mayor making' ceremony takes places in the auditorium. The Lord Mayor is formally elected by Full Council and is presented with his robes and chains of office before being granted the Keys to the City, which they must present if the monarch visits the city. They are also presented with the Portsmouth Sword - a symbol of the interdependence between the city and the Royal Navy.

### Mayoral record panels

In the Council Chamber of The Guildhall, designed by the architect E. Berry-Webber following the destruction of the building's original Victorian interior by incendiary bombs during WW2, There are ten mayoral record panels, grouped in twos - they carry the names of the Mayors and Lord Mayors of Portsmouth since the corporation's records of the annual election of the Mayor began in 1531. The panels include information such as their years in office and brief summaries of national and local events of consequence.
Following much careful research, artists F Angello del Cauchferta, MGLC (Spain), and Beryl Hardman, ARCA, of London, illuminated each panel with scenes, both momentous and whimsical, from the period it encompasses. Entries have continued to be made and illuminated for each successive Lord Mayor.

### The Lord Mayor's chain and badge

The gold chain and badge are the outward signs of the office of the Lord Mayor. The chain is worn within the city when performing official civic functions, important ceremonial occasions and also as appropriate at other times, such as opening conferences, fetes and new businesses.
The chain may also be worn when paying visits to such places as schools, churches and the emergency services, at the Lord Mayor's discretion. The badge is only worn outside the city on official engagements and is worn according to protocol - permission is sought from the Mayor or Chairman of the Borough to be visited.
The chain comprises a clasp in the shape of the ancient Domus Dei, from which plain rectangular links (with the names of successive Mayors and Lord Mayors inscribed on them) pass on either side to shields engraved with the obverse and reverse of the corporate seal. The links then change their shape to a handsome bold curb; part plain and part engraved. On the next shields the maritime anchors stand in full relief and the centre shield bears the crest of Henry Ford, Mayor in 1859, when the chain was acquired.
From the chain hangs the badge, a massive pendant in rich scrollwork supporting a blue enamel shield with the star and crescent upon it, supported by the mace and sword of state . Engraved on the back of the badge is the legend:
"Purchased by subscription amongst the burgesses and presented to the Worshipful the Mayor of Corporation of the Borough during the Mayoralty of Henry Ford Esq., under a committee composed of G Cressweller Esq. (Chairman), Mr Alderman Orange, Mr LA Vandenburgh, Mr WO Marshall, Mr E M Frost, Mr H D Davey, Mr E M Wells, Mr Dudley, Mr G Rake, Mr W Treadgold, Mr G Long, Mr William D King (Hon Sec) Portsmouth, September 1859"
The diamond-studded crown over the enamelled scroll bears the words "Jubilee V 1887 R Year" and now surmounts the Mayor's crest in the centre of the chain, with the following inscription "Presented by A S Blake Esq., Mayor, 1885-86.

#### The Lady Mayoress or Consort's chain

This is a smaller, more slender replica of the Lord Mayor's chain. The badge bears the following inscription
"In commemoration of the 60th year of the reign of Queen Victoria, this Chain and Badge was purchased by members of the Council and presented to Mrs Couzens for the use of herself and her successors in the office of Mayoress/Consort, 1897"
This chain was worn for the first time on the occasion of the election of mayor by H Kimber, Mayoress, 1897-98.

### Robes of office

The Lord Mayor has two sets of robes, the first worn for the most important civic occasions is a set made of black silk damask trimmed with heavy gold lace detailing and the city's coat of arms embroidered in gold on the back. It is nearly identical to the set worn by the Lord Chancellor. The second set of robes is scarlet with fur trimming, this is worn on less formal occasions, such as full council meetings. Both of these robes are worn with a lace jabot and cuffs with white cotton gloves and a feather plumed tricorne hat.
A plain black gown, similar to an academic gown is worn at times of national mourning, it was most recently worn in September 2022 by Lord Mayor Hugh Mason on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, having not been seen for 70 years.
The Deputy Lord Mayor also wears a robe, which he wears alongside his chain of office. This consists of a blue wool robe with black facings and two inch black velvet on the edge of the gown and sleeves, differing from that of a councillor. This is worn with a bicorne hat for men and tricorne for women on important occasions.
Councillors also wear robes, some of which date back to 1949. These are black wool with blue facing detailing and two inch velvet trimmings on the sleeves. Aldermanic robes are the same design but with red facings. Both of these robes are worn with a bicorne hat for men and tricorne for women, with past Lord Mayor's having gold braid on their hat as opposed to black.

### The Lord Mayor's car, Mace Bearer and Duties

The City Council provides an allowance for The Lord Mayor to carry out their duties, as part of this a civic staff is employed, with a member of this staff serving as attendant, chauffeur and mace bearer. Although the car The Lord Mayor uses has varied over the years, having been at one time a Daimler and presently a Jaguar, the number plate has remained the same, 'BK 1'. This being the first number plate issued in the City of Portsmouth. Having their own vehicle allows The Lord Mayor to attend many community functions and engagements during their year of office. This is the primary and most visible part of their role but they have the important role of presiding at civic events and Full Council meetings. In addition to this they are an ex officio member of several organisations and boards, including The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth's Coronation Homes, named after the post.

### The three maces

A mace was originally a heavy club used as an offensive weapon, but later became a staff of office symbolising authority, with the head often elaborately worked in precious metal or bejewelled.
The Great Mace is silver gilt, similar to several others which Charles II ordered to be made and presented to various corporations that had lost their regalia during the civil wars between his father and Parliament. The pattern of the shaft leaves little doubt that the Mace was made earlier than 1678 - it was probably made during the Commonwealth period and converted into a Royal Mace at the Restoration. This mace is placed on the clerk's table in the council chamber for every meeting to represent the authority of the sovereign, it is also carried in procession and placed on display during civic processions and events. During times of national mourning the mace is covered with a black cloth and inverted when carried.
The two smaller maces used in the procession appear to date back to Tudor times. One is a small antique silver Mace with a cup shaded head and a slender stem. On one side of the head is the Tudor Rose crowned, and on the other side a Fleur-de-lis crowned, both repoussé and gilt. On the circular top of the head are the Arms of James I, somewhat defaced. The other small mace is of silver parcel gilt about the same size as the first but with a much stouter stem. On either side of the head is a star rudely engraved. The cresting or coronet at the top is composed of Fleur-de-lis and Lozenges alternately within which, on a raised boss, are the Arms of King Charles II.

## List of mayors of Portsmouth

| Year | Name | Notes |
| 1531 | Thomas Carpenter | |
| 1532 | John Golde | |
| 1533 | John Golde | |
| 1534 | Thomas Younge | |
| 1535 | John Elton | |
| 1536 | John Golde | |
| 1537 | Thomas Carpenter | |
| 1538 | Thomas Carpenter | |
| 1539 | Henry Bickley | MP for Portsmouth, 1553 |
| 1544 | Robert Lyonden | |
| 1545 | Stephen Barneham | |
| 1546 | Henry Bickley | MP for Portsmouth, 1553 |
| 1547 | William Younge | |
| 1550 | John Elton | |
| 1551 | Henry Bickley | MP for Portsmouth, 1553 |
| 1552 | Thomas Stubber | |
| 1553 | Francis Bodkyn | |
| 1554 | William Yong | |
| 1555 | Thomas Goodynough | |
| 1556 | John Elton | |
| 1557 | John Yong | |
| 1558 | Henry Slater | MP for Portsmouth, 1571 |
| 1559 | John Trenayle | |
| 1560 | Francis Bodkyn | |
| 1561 | Thomas Stubber | |
| 1562 | Darbie Savell | |
| 1563 | John Holloway | |
| 1564 | John Whytingstall | |
| 1565 | John Whytingstall | |
| 1566 | Francis Robyns | |
| 1567 | Richard Jenyns | |
| 1568 | Nicholas Yeoman | |
| 1570 | Robert Carpenter | |
| 1571 | Darbie Savell | |
| 1572 | Thomas Stubber | |
| 1573 | Owen Tottye | |
| 1574 | Richard Jenens | |
| 1575 | Thomas Heynos | |
| 1576 | Richard Jervys | |
| 1577 | Richard Sedgewick | |
| 1578 | Thomas Thorney | |
| 1579 | Francis Bodkyn | |
| 1580 | Owen Totty | |
| 1581 | Richard Jennyns | |
| 1582 | John Highfield | |
| 1583 | Richard Sedgewick | |
| 1584 | Thomas Holmes | |
| 1585 | Thomas Thorney | |
| 1586 | Francis Elton | |
| 1587 | John Humfrey | |
| 1588 | Jehn Jennens | |
| 1589 | Richard Jarvis | |
| 1590 | Richard Leonard | |
| 1591 | Thomas Byston | |
| 1592 | John Turner | |
| 1593 | Owen Tottie | |
| 1594 | Thomas Playfoot | |
| 1595 | Mark James | |
| 1596 | Richard Elton | |
| 1597 | Peter Cooke | |
| 1598 | Owen Tottie | |
| 1599 | Owen Tottie/Totty | |
| 1600 | Richard Jenvey | |
| 1601 | Henry Jennens | |
| 1602 | Richard Elton | |
| 1603 | Mark James | |
| 1604 | Owen Jennens | |
| 1605 | Peter Cooke | |
| 1606 | William Winter | |
| 1607 | William Towerson | |
| 1608 | John Pares | |
| 1609 | John Lardner | |
| 1610 | Richard Jenvey | |
| 1611 | Richard Elton | |
| 1612 | Thomas Bonner | |
| 1613 | Robert Bo(u)ld | |
| 1614 | Owen Jennens | |
| 1615 | William Haberley | |
| 1616 | William Marshe | |
| 1617 | William Towerson | |
| 1618 | Thomas Tridles | |
| 1619 | David Beiston | |
| 1620 | John Pares | |
| 1621 | Roger Towerson | |
| 1622 | Henry Holt | |
| 1623 | Owen Jenens | |
| 1624 | Richard James | |
| 1625 | William Towerson | |
| 1626 | William Haberley | |
| 1627 | Henry Holt | |
| 1628 | Henry Holt | |
| 1629 | William Towerson | |
| 1630 | William Haberley | |
| 1631 | Richard James | |
| 1632 | Owen Jenens | |
| 1633 | Henry Wentworth | |
| 1634 | William Brooke | |
| 1635 | William Winter | |
| 1636 | Richard Jenens | |
| 1637 | Thomas Beeston | |
| 1638 | John Goodwine | |
| 1639 | Owen Jenens | |
| 1640 | Richard James | |
| 1641 | John Holt | |
| 1642 | Roger Granger | |
| 1643 | John Trigg | |
| 1644 | William Michell | |
| 1645 | Thomas Beeston | |
| 1646 | William Winter | |
| 1647 | Edward Deane | |
| 1648 | Richard Lardner | |
| 1649 | Richard Ridge | |
| 1650 | John Tunbrell | |
| 1651 | John Holt | |
| 1652 | Anthony Belbin | |
| 1653 | Roger Granger | |
| 1654 | Francis Holt | |
| 1655 | John Tawke | |
| 1656 | John Comfort | |
| 1657 | Hugh Salesbury | |
| 1658 | Josiah Child | |
| 1659 | John Tippetts | |
| 1660 | Richard Lardner | |
| 1661 | John Timbrell | |
| 1662 | Anthony Haberley | |
| 1663 | Henry Perin | |
| 1664 | St John Steventon | |
| 1665 | Benjamin Johnson | |
| 1666 | Samuel Williams | |
| 1667 | Hugh Salesbury | |
| 1668 | Grantham Wyan | |
| 1669 | Charles Chapman | |
| 1669 | Samuel Burmingham | |
| 1670 | Thomas Plover | |
| 1671 | Philip James | |
| 1672 | Nicholas Peirson | |
| 1673 | Nicholas Hedger | MP for Portsmouth, 1690 |
| 1674 | Edward Archer | |
| 1675 | St John Steventon | |
| 1676 | Samuel Williams | |
| 1677 | Henry Beverley | |
| 1678 | John Moore | |
| 1678 | Robert Shales | |
| 1679 | Theophilus Curtis | |
| 1680 | John Grundy | |
| 1681 | Thomas Hancock | |
| 1682 | Nicholas Peirson | |
| 1683 | Isaac Betts | |
| 1684 | William Legg | |
| 1684 | Richard Ridge | |
| 1685 | Theophilus Curtis | |
| 1686 | Robert Shales | |
| 1687 | John Grundy | |
| 1688 | John Grundy | |
| 1688 | Thomas Hancock | |
| 1689 | Nicholas Hedger | MP for Portsmouth, 1690 |
| 1689 | Thomas Brouncker | |
| 1690 | John White | |
| 1691 | Lewis Barton | |
| 1692 | John Blakley | |
| 1693 | Thomas Brouncker | |
| 1694 | George Everenden | |
| 1695 | George Deacon | |
| 1696 | John Mounsher | MP for Hastings, 1701 |
| 1697 | George Everenden | |
| 1697 | John Thomas | |
| 1698 | Henry Seager | |
| 1699 | John Blakley | |
| 1700 | John Mounsher | MP for Hastings, 1701 |
| 1701 | John Vining | |
| 1702 | William Brandon | |
| 1703 | George Deacon | |
| 1704 | John Vining | |
| 1705 | Edward Harman | |
| 1706 | Nathaniel Harford | |
| 1707 | John Vining | |
| 1708 | Edward Harman | |
| 1709 | Nathaniel Harford | |
| 1709 | Joseph Whitehorne | |
| 1710 | Henry Seager | |
| 1710 | Henry Maydman | |
| 1711 | Charles Bissell | |
| 1712 | William Smith | Founder of Portsmouth Grammar School |
| 1713 | William Smith | Founder of Portsmouth Grammar School |
| 1714 | Robert Reynolds | |
| 1715 | John Vining | |
| 1716 | Henry Belfield | |
| 1717 | Henry Stanyford | Master House Carpenter to the Ordinance and Justice History in Portsmouth: The Stanyford Family |
| 1718 | James Harmann | |
| 1719 | Thomas Blakey | |
| 1720 | Thomas Missing | |
| 1721 | Lewis Barton | |
| 1722 | John Vining | |
| 1723 | James Harmann | |
| 1724 | John White | |
| 1725 | Samuel Brady | |
| 1726 | Lewis Barton | |
| 1727 | Henry Stanyford | Elected for second term |
| 1728 | James Blakley | |
| 1729 | John Arnold | |
| 1730 | Robert Newnham | |
| 1731 | John White | |
| 1732 | John Mounsher | |
| 1733 | Samuel Brady | |
| 1734 | Henry Stanyford | Timber merchant. Died during office. History in Portsmouth: The Stanyford Family |
| 1734 | John White | |
| 1735 | Cornelius Colliss | |
| 1736 | William Rickman | Captain. Sheriff of Hampshire in 1746. Father of John Rickman Also mayor in 1742, 1748 & 1755 |
| 1737 | Michael Atkins | |
| 1738 | John Vining | |
| 1739 | John White | |
| 1740 | Samuel Brady | |
| 1741 | Lewis Barton | |
| 1742 | William Rickman | |
| 1743 | Michael Atkins | |
| 1744 | Thomas Stanyford | Sergeant-at Law and son of former mayor, Henry Stanyford. History in Portsmouth: The Stanyford Family |
| 1745 | Edward Linzee | |
| 1746 | Samuel Chandler | |
| 1747 | John Carter | First time. Father of John (mayor 1779) |
| 1748 | William Rickman | |
| 1749 | Thomas Stanyford | Sergeant-at Law |
| 1750 | Thomas Missing | |
| 1751 | John Leeke | |
| 1752 | Thomas White | |
| 1753 | Edward Linzee | |
| 1754 | John Carter | Second time. |
| 1755 | William Rickman | |
| 1756 | Thomas Missing | |
| 1757 | Thomas White | |
| 1758 | Edward Linzee | |
| 1759 | John Carter | Third time. |
| 1760 | Thomas White | |
| 1761 | Edward Linzee | |
| 1762 | John Carter | Fourth time. |
| 1763 | Thomas White | |
| 1764 | Philip Varlo | |
| 1765 | John Carter | Fifth time. |
| 1766 | Edward Linzee | |
| 1767 | John Carter | Sixth time. |
| 1768 | Philip Varlo | |
| 1769 | John Carter | Seventh time. |
| 1770 | Philip Varlo | |
| 1771 | Edward Linzee | |
| 1772 | John Carter | First term. |
| 1773 | William Carter | |
| 1774 | Thomas White | |
| 1774 | Philip Varlo | |
| 1775 | Thomas Monday | |
| 1776 | Philip Varlo | |
| 1777 | Edward Linzee | |
| 1778 | Joseph Bissett | |
| 1779 | Edward Linzee | |
| 1779 | John Carter | Second time. |
| 1779 | John Godwin | |
| 1780 | Edward Linzee | |
| 1781 | John Godwin | |
| 1782 | John Carter | Third time. |
| 1783 | Richard Godman Temple | |
| 1784 | William Carter | |
| 1785 | John Godwin | |
| 1786 | John Carter | Fourth time. |
| 1787 | William Carter | |
| 1788 | John Godwin | |
| 1789 | John Carter | Fifth time. |
| 1790 | William Carter | |
| 1791 | Thomas White | |
| 1792 | John Godwin | |
| 1793 | John Carter | Sixth time. |
| 1794 | Thomas White | |
| 1795 | John Godwin | |
| 1796 | John Carter | Seventh time. |
| 1797 | Stephen Gaselee | |
| 1798 | Rev. George Cuthbert | |
| 1799 | William Goldson | |
| 1800 | John Carter | Eighth time. |
| 1801 | John Godwin | |
| 1802 | Stephen Gaselee | |
| 1803 | Rev. George Cuthbert | |
| 1804 | John Carter | Ninth time. |
| 1805 | William Goldson | |
| 1806 | John Adam Carter | |
| 1807 | John Godwin | |
| 1808 | Rev. George Cuthbert | |
| 1809 | Samuel Spicer | |
| 1810 | Joseph Smith | |
| 1811 | Edward Carter | First year. |
| 1812 | James Carter | |
| 1813 | Henry White | |
| 1814 | William Goldson | |
| 1815 | Samuel Spicer | |
| 1816 | Edward Carter | Second year. |
| 1817 | James Carter |
| 1818 | Daniel Howard | First year. |
| 1819 | Sir Samuel Spicer | |
| 1820 | Edward Carter | Third year. |
| 1821 | James Carter | |
| 1822 | Daniel Howard | Second year. |
| 1823 | Sir Samuel Spicer | |
| 1823 | Edward Carter | Fourth year. |
| 1824 | James Carter | |
| 1825 | David Spicer | |
| 1826 | Daniel Howard | Third year. |
| 1827 | William John Cooper | First year. |
| 1828 | Edward Carter | Fifth year. |
| 1829 | David Spicer | |
| 1830 | Daniel Howard | Fourth year. |
| 1831 | James Carter | |
| 1832 | John Sutton Shugar | |
| 10 January 1833 | William John Cooper | Second year. |
| 1833 | Thomas Burbey | |
| 1834 | David Spicer | |
| 1835 | Unknown | |
| 1836 | Edward Carter | Sixth year. |
| 1836 | William John Cooper | Third year. |
| 1837 | Daniel Howard | Fifth year. |
| 1838 | Thomas Jackson | |
| 1839 | Sir John Wesley Williams FRS | |
| 1840 | William Jones | |
| 1841 | Daniel Howard | Sixth year. |
| 1842 | James Hoskins | First year. |
| 1843 | Edward Casher | Two years. |
| 1844 | Edward Casher | Two years. |
| 1845 | James Hoskins | Second year. |
| 1846 | Benjamin Bramble | |
| 1847 | Thomas Ellis Owen | Architect |
| 1848 | George John Scale | |
| 1849 | Benjamin Bramble | Second, third and fourth years. |
| 1850 | Benjamin Bramble | Second, third and fourth years. |
| 1851 | Benjamin Bramble | Second, third and fourth years. |
| 1852 | George Cornelius Stigant | First and second year. |
| 1853 | George Cornelius Stigant | First and second year. |
| 1854 | Andrew Nance Jnr | |
| 1855 | George Cornelius Stigant | Third year. |
| 1856 | Charles Crassweller | |
| 1857 | Charles Edward Smithers | |
| 1858 | Henry Ford | Brother of Richard William Ford (mayor 1864) |
| 1859 | William Hawkins Garrington | |
| 1860 | Charles Bettesworth Hellard | |
| 1861 | William Humby | |
| 1862 | Thomas Ellis Owen | Died in office. |
| 1862–1863 | William Grant Chambers | |
| 1864 | Richard William Ford | Brother of Henry Ford (1858) |
| 1865 | Edward Martin Wells | |
| 1866 | Emanuel Emanuel | First Jewish mayor of Portsmouth. |
| 1867 | Robert Edmund Davies | |
| 1868 | Lieutenant-Colonel Edwin Galt | |
| 1869 | George Shepherd/Sheppard | |
| 1870 | John Baker | Two years. |
| 1871 | John Baker | Two years. |
| 1872 | Robert Edmund Davies | |
| 1873 | George Edward Kent | |
| 1874 | Robert Edmund Davies | |
| 1875 | William Pink | Two years. |
| 1876 | William Pink | Two years. |
| 1877 | William David King | Two years. |
| 1878 | William David King | Two years. |
| 1879 | Arthur Cudlipp | |
| 1880 | William Pink | Third year. |
| 1881 | Joseph George Whitcombe | |
| 1882 | William Pink | Fourth year. |
| 1883 | Richard Marvin | |
| 1884 | James Moody | |
| 1885 | Alfred Starling Blake | |
| 1886 | Sir William David King | Third year. |
| 1887 | Albert Addison | |
| 1888 | George Ellis | |
| 1889 | Sir William David King | Fourth year. |
| 1890 | Sir William Pink | Fifth year. |
| 1891 | Sir Thomas Scott Foster | Brother of mayor F. G. Foster. |
| 1892 | Robert Barnes | |
| 1893 | Abraham Leon Emanuel | One of two Jewish mayors of 19th-century Portsmouth. |
| 1894 | Thomas King | |
| 1895 | John James Young | |
| 1896 | George Edwin Couzens | |
| 1897 | Harry Kimber | |
| 1898 | Sir Thomas Scott Foster | Brother of mayor F. G. Foster. |
| 1899 | Sir Harold Rufus Pink | First year. |
| 1900 | A. L. Emanuel | |
| 1901 | Sir William Dupree, 1st Baronet | Two years |
| 1902 | Sir William Dupree, 1st Baronet | Two years |
| 1903 | J. E. Pink | |
| 1904 | George Edwin Couzens | |
| 1905 | Sir George Edwin Couzens | |
| 1906 | Charles Dye | |
| 1907 | F.G. Foster | Brother of mayor Thomas Scott Foster. |
| 1908 | James Baggs | |
| 1909 | Sir William Dupree, 1st Baronet | |
| 1910 | Sir Thomas Scott Foster | |
| 1911 | Sir Thomas Scott Foster | |
| 1912 | Sir John Henry Corke | Four years. |
| 1913 | Sir John Henry Corke | Four years. |
| 1914 | Sir John Henry Corke | Four years. |
| 1915 | Sir John Henry Corke | Four years. |
| 1916 | Harold Rufus Pink | Second and third year |
| 1917 | Harold Rufus Pink | Second and third year |
| 1918 | John Timpson | Two years. |
| 1919 | John Timpson | Two years. |
| 1920 | Sir J. Timpson | |
| 1921 | Albert E. Porter | |
| 1922 | F.G. Foster | |
| 1923 | George William Corbin |
| 1924 | Frank J. Privett | Four years. |
| 1925 | Frank J. Privett | Four years. |
| 1926 | Frank J. Privett | Four years. |
| 1927 | Frank J. Privett | Four years. |

## Lord Mayors of Portsmouth

| Year | Name | Notes |
| 1928 | James Edward Smith | First Lord Mayor of Portsmouth. Served two consecutive years |
| 1929 | James Edward Smith | First Lord Mayor of Portsmouth. Served two consecutive years |
| 1930 | Walter Gleave | |
| 1931 | Ferdinand Green Foster | Alderman for St. Mary. |
| 1932 | William Albert Billing | Alderman for Fratton. |
| 1933 | Sir Harold Rufus Pink | Fourth year. |
| 1934 | Frank John Privett | JP |
| 1935 | William James Avens | |
| 1936 | Frederick Joseph Spickernell | Served two consecutive terms |
| 1937 | Frederick Joseph Spickernell | Served two consecutive terms |
| 1938 | Leonard Nicholson Blake | Alderman for either Fratton or St. Mary. |
| 1939 | Denis Leo Daley | Served five consecutive years |
| 1940 | Denis Leo Daley | Served five consecutive years |
| 1941 | Denis Leo Daley | Served five consecutive years |
| 1942 | Denis Leo Daley | Served five consecutive years |
| 1943 | Denis Leo Daley | Served five consecutive years |
| 1944 | Albert Edward Allaway | Served two consecutive years |
| 1945 | Albert Edward Allaway | Served two consecutive years |
| 1946 | Robert John Winnicott | |
| 1947 | Frank Miles | Served two consecutive years |
| 1948 | Frank Miles | Served two consecutive years |
| 1949 | John Privett | |
| 1950 | Sir Denis Leo Daley | Returned as longest serving Lord Mayor. |
| 1951 | Albert Johnson | Served two consecutive years |
| 1952 | Albert Johnson | Served two consecutive years |
| 1953 | Frank Miles | |
| 1954 | George Albert Day | Served two consecutive years |
| 1955 | George Albert Day | Served two consecutive years |
| 1956 | Arthur George Asquith-Leeson | Served two consecutive years |
| 1957 | Arthur George Asquith-Leeson | Served two consecutive years |
| 1958 | Alfred Lapthorn Blake | Solicitor |
| 1959 | Leonard John Evans | |
| 1960 | Gerald Joseph Horton | |
| 1961 | Ralph Bonner Pink | MP for Portsmouth South, 1966 |
| 1962 | Eric Osment Bateson | |
| 1963 | Harry Sotnick | |
| 1964 | Joseph Albert Nye | |
| 1965 | Frank Lines | |
| 1966 | Clifford Alfred Worley | |
| 1967 | Denis Darling Connors | |
| 1968 | Frederick Alfred John Emery-Wallis | Went on to become leader of Hampshire County Council |
| 1969 | William John Evans | |
| 1970 | Jonathan Frederick Blair | |
| 1971 | Alfred Dudley Darby | |
| 1972 | Phyllis Loe | First female Lord Mayor |
| 1973 | John Patrick Newton Brogden | Councillor for Kingston |
| 1974 | Arthur George Dann | |
| 1975 | Eric Howard Taplin | |
| 1976 | Ian Goodwin Gibson | |
| 1977 | George H. Austin | |
| 1978 | Richard Eric Sotnick | |
| 1979 | Roland Charles Taylor | |
| 1980 | Mary Winifred Sutcliffe | Councillor for Havelock. |
| 1981 | Frank Harold Ernest Sorrell | |
| 1982 | John William Clarence Fisher | |
| 1983 | Leslie Albert Kitchen | |
| 1984 | John Scott Marshall | |
| 1985 | Fred Anthony Warner | |
| 1986 | Marie Seaman | |
| 1987 | James George "Jim" Lodge | |
| 1988 | Kenneth William Hale | |
| 1989 | Gladys Irene Howard | > |
| 1990 | Syd Rapson | |
| 1991 | Brian Read | |
| 1992 | James Patey | |
| 1993 | Alex Bentley | |
| 1994 | Alan Burnett | Doctor. |
| 1995 | Malcolm Chewter | |
| 1996 | Mark Hancock | |
| 1997 | Tony Golds | |
| 1998 | Pam Webb | |
| 1999 | David Horne | |
| 2000 | Barry Maine | |
| 2001 | Elaine Baker | Served two consecutive years |
| 2002 | Elaine Baker | Served two consecutive years |
| 2003 | Tom Blair | |
| 2004 | Jason Fazackarley | |
| 2005 | Robin Sparshatt | |
| 2006 | Fred Charlton | |
| 2007 | Mike Blake | |
| 2008 | Richard Jensen | |
| 2009 | Terry Hall | |
| 2010 | Paula Riches | |
| 2011 | Cheryl Buggy | |
| 2012 | Frank Jonas | |
| 2013 | Lynne Stagg | |
| 2014 | Steven Wylie | |
| 2015 | Frank Jonas | |
| 2016 | David Fuller | |
| 2017 | Ken Ellcome | |
| 2018 | Lee Mason | |
| 2019 | David Fuller | |
| 2020 | Rob Wood | First ethnic minority Lord Mayor. |
| 2021 | Frank Jonas | Three-time holder. |
| 2022 | Hugh Mason | |
| 2023 | Tom Coles | |
| 2024 | Jason Fazackarley | |