What are the Parishes in Jamaica? 14 Parishes List & FAQ

What are the Parishes in Jamaica?

What are the Parishes in Jamaica? Jamaica is divided into 14 parishes, these parishes are grouped under three historic counties: Cornwall, Middlesex, and Surrey. Understanding the parishes is essential for geography, travel, genealogy, and local research. Below you’ll find the complete list of parishes in Jamaica, including capitals, county affiliations, and key facts.

Jamaica’s 14 parishes are: Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland, St. Mary, St. Ann, Trelawny, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, and St. Catherine. Each parish has unique characteristics. Now let’s explore the parishes in detail — including their county groupings and capitals.

What are the Parishes in Jamaica? Complete Breakdown by County

Cornwall County (5 parishes)

Hanover Capital: Lucea
St. Elizabeth Capital: Black River
St. James Capital: Montego Bay
Trelawny Capital: Falmouth
Westmoreland Capital: Savanna-la-Mar

Cornwall parishes are known for beaches, resorts, and vibrant tourism.

Middlesex County (5 parishes)

Clarendon Capital: May Pen
Manchester Capital: Mandeville
St. Ann Capital: St. Ann’s Bay
St. Catherine Capital: Spanish Town
St. Mary Capital: Port Maria

Middlesex parishes include the popular Ocho Rios area.

Surrey County (4 parishes)

Kingston Capital: Kingston (also national capital)
Portland Capital: Port Antonio
St. Andrew Capital: Half Way Tree
St. Thomas Capital: Morant Bay

Surrey holds the capital region, and Kingston & St. Andrew form the Corporate Area.

What are the Parishes in Jamaica? A Complete Table of All 14

For precise reference, here is a structured table of the parishes in Jamaica. Each parish name is bolded for emphasis, and the table provides a clear overview of counties, capitals, and approximate areas.

Parish	County	Capital	Area (approx.)
Kingston	Surrey	Kingston	21.8 km²
St. Andrew	Surrey	Half Way Tree	453 km²
St. Thomas	Surrey	Morant Bay	742 km²
Portland	Surrey	Port Antonio	814 km²
St. Mary	Middlesex	Port Maria	611 km²
St. Ann	Middlesex	St. Ann’s Bay	1,212 km²
Trelawny	Cornwall	Falmouth	874 km²
St. James	Cornwall	Montego Bay	595 km²
Hanover	Cornwall	Lucea	450 km²
Westmoreland	Cornwall	Savanna-la-Mar	807 km²
St. Elizabeth	Cornwall	Black River	1,212 km²
Manchester	Middlesex	Mandeville	830 km²
Clarendon	Middlesex	May Pen	1,196 km²
St. Catherine	Middlesex	Spanish Town	1,192 km²

🗺️ Map of Jamaica’s parishes — For a detailed visual map showing parish boundaries, counties, and major towns, please refer to official resources such as the National Land Agency of Jamaica or the Statistical Institute of Jamaica. This page provides the complete textual list and data for all 14 parishes.

Why Knowing the Parishes of Jamaica Matters

Whether you’re planning travel, conducting genealogical research, or learning about Jamaican geography, understanding “What are the Parishes in Jamaica?” provides a foundation. The 14 parishes of Jamaica are not just administrative boundaries — they influence culture, postal codes, and even dialect. From the coffee hills of St. Andrew to the waterfalls of St. Ann, each parish has a distinct identity. The parishes are widely used in census data, local governance, and tourism.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Parishes of Jamaica

1. What are the 3 counties of Jamaica and which parishes belong to each?

Jamaica has three historic counties: Cornwall (5 parishes: Hanover, St. Elizabeth, St. James, Trelawny, Westmoreland), Middlesex (5 parishes: Clarendon, Manchester, St. Ann, St. Catherine, St. Mary), and Surrey (4 parishes: Kingston, Portland, St. Andrew, St. Thomas).

2. Which is the largest parish in Jamaica by area?

The largest parish in Jamaica is St. Ann (1,212 km²), followed closely by St. Elizabeth (1,212 km²). St. Ann is known for Dunn’s River Falls and the birthplace of Bob Marley.

3. Which parish has the smallest land area?

The parish of Kingston has the smallest area, approximately 21.8 km². It is one of only two parishes that do not have a coastline (the other is St. Andrew).

4. What is the difference between a parish and a county in Jamaica?

Counties are larger historical divisions (Cornwall, Middlesex, Surrey) that group several parishes. Parishes are the primary administrative units for local government, each with its own capital and elected council. Counties today have no administrative role but are still used for reference.

5. Are there any parishes in Jamaica without a coastline?

Yes, two parishes are landlocked: Kingston and St. Andrew. All other 12 parishes have a coastline along the Caribbean Sea.

6. What is the newest or youngest parish in Jamaica?

The parish boundaries have remained unchanged since 1867, so there is no “new” parish. However, Kingston was designated a parish in 1867 after previously being part of St. Andrew. The current 14‑parish system is the most recent stable configuration.

7. Why does Kingston have a separate parish from St. Andrew?

Kingston was founded in 1692 after the destruction of Port Royal. It grew into a major city and was given its own parish status in 1867. Today, Kingston and St. Andrew operate together as the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC), but they remain distinct parishes.

8. How can I remember all 14 parishes easily?

A common mnemonic groups by county: Cornwall — HSS TW (Hanover, St. Elizabeth, St. James, Trelawny, Westmoreland); Middlesex — CMS SC (Clarendon, Manchester, St. Ann, St. Catherine, St. Mary); Surrey — KPS ST (Kingston, Portland, St. Andrew, St. Thomas). Or simply use the table above for quick reference.

9. Which parish is the most populous?

St. Andrew is the most populous parish, followed by St. Catherine. The Kingston parish itself has a smaller population because many residents live in suburban St. Andrew.

10. Are the parishes of Jamaica still used for legal and administrative purposes?

Yes. Parishes are the basis for electoral constituencies, court jurisdictions (resident magistrate’s courts), land registration, and many local government services. Each parish has a municipal corporation or parish council.

Grouping & Historical Context: Parishes in Jamaica Over Time

The current parishes of Jamaica were established in 1867. Prior to that, there were more parishes, but the British colonial administration consolidated them. Today, the 14 parishes remain integral to Jamaican identity. When locals ask “What parish you from?” they reflect deep community ties. The parishes also form the basis for postal zones, electoral constituencies, and many cultural traditions. Each parish has a capital town that serves as its administrative center.

✔️ Quick recap: So, what are the Parishes in Jamaica? The answer is the 14 parishes listed above — Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, Portland, St. Mary, St. Ann, Trelawny, St. James, Hanover, Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester, Clarendon, St. Catherine — grouped into three counties.