He also came to be responsible for the mapping of fortifications and eventually of all Great Britain, through the Ordnance Survey, and it is this role that is generally associated with surveyor-generalship.

The post was for a time held with that of Chief Engineer, but after 1750 became a political office, with the holder changing with the government of the day.

[1] The office was vacant at the time the Board of Ordnance was abolished in 1855, the last holder, Lauderdale Maule, having died of cholera on assignment with forces in Crimea, on August 1, 1854.

[2] The War Office Act of 1870 revived the office, making the Surveyor-General the senior civilian adviser to the Secretary of State, responsible for all aspects of Army logistics.

The position was expected to advise on highly complex matters of supply, transport, equipment and ordnance, and was meant to be a former senior military officer who could answer questions to Parliament and exercise strict control over expenditures on supplies and stores.