The district of Depwade was one of the 'hundreds' of Norfolk and survived until the local government reforms of the 1970s as Depwade Rural District Council.  The old red brick victorian council buildings can still be seen on the right hand side of the A140 Norwich road, proceeding towards Norwich just past the Pulham Market Crossroads.  The offices have been converted into apartments.

The origin of the name is explained in White's Norfolk Directory 1845 " . . . gives rise to the River Tas or Taiis, which was formerly a much larger stream, crossed near Tasburgh by a DEEPFORD, from which the hundred had its name".

In 1831 there were 21 parishes and a total population of 10031 people.  The list of villages  then comprising Depwade district is:

1. Ashwellthorpe
2. Aslacton
3. Bunwell
4. Carleton Rode
5. Forncett St Mary
6. Forncett St Peter
7. Fritton
8. Fundenhall
9. Hapton
10. Hardwick
11. Hempnall
12. Morningthorpe
13. Gt Moulton
14. Skelton
15. Stratton St Mary
16. Stratton St Margaret
17. Tacolneston
18. Tasburgh
19. Tharston
20. Tibenham 
21. Wacton