ADMINISTRATOR, in English Law, he to whom the
ordinary commits the administration of the goods of a person deceased, in default of an executor. If the administrator die, his executors are not administrators; but the court is to grant a new administration. The origin of administrators is derived from the civil law. Their establishment in England is owing to a statute made in the 31st year of Edward III. Till then, no office of this kind was known beside that of executor; in case of a want of which, the ordinary had the disposal of goods of persons intestate, &c.