PORTGREVE, or PORTGRAVE, was anciently the principal magistrate in ports and other maritime towns. The word is formed from the Saxon port, a port or other town, and gref, a governor. It is sometimes also written portere. Camden observes, that the chief magistrate of London was anciently called portgreve; but instead of him, Richard I. appointed two bailiffs; and soon afterwards John granted them a mayor as their yearly magistrate.