Hundreds originated in the late Saxon period as a subdivision of a county and lasted as administrative divisions until the 19th century.[4] In Saxon and early Norman times the manor was held by the king, and was known as Barton Regis.At the time of the Domesday Book, Barton Regis was part of the neighbouring hundred of Swineshead.[5] In 1836 the hundred became the basis of a new Poor Law Union, which also included additional parishes north and west of Bristol.The rural district was abolished in 1904, when it was split between Bristol City Council, Chipping Sodbury RD and Thornbury RD.