[1] The borough was created in 1890 under a Royal Charter, covering the parish of Richmond.

[3] Under the Local Government Act 1894, parishes were no longer allowed to straddle borough boundaries and so the Mortlake civil parish was split, with the majority covering 1,554 acres (629 ha) outside the borough becoming the west of the Barnes Urban District and the part in the borough of Richmond, covering 329 acres (133 ha) forming a new North Sheen civil parish.

[1] The borough was abolished in 1965 when it was replaced by the larger London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, and Surrey County Council was replaced here by Greater London local government institutions, at which time the ceremonial county also changed.

The crest was a stag regardant proper, holding in its mouth two roses on one stem, one argent, the other gules, and supporting with the dexter fore hoof a shield or a wreath vert.

[4] The portcullises, roses and lion were all associated with King Henry VII, who brought the rival houses of Lancaster and York together and helped build the palace.