List of colonial governors in 1881

This is a list of the governors of colonies, protectorates, or other dependencies in 1881. Where applicable, native rulers are also listed. The list is arranged by the governors' respective colonial powers.

Egypt

• Sudan – Charles George Gordon, Governor-General of the Sudan (1880–1885)

Portugal

• Angola – António Eleutério Dantas, Governor-General of Angola (1880–1882)

United Kingdom

• Bahamas – Jeremiah Thomas Fitzgerald Callaghan, Governor of the Bahamas (1880–1881)
• Hong Kong - Sir John Pope Hennessy, Governor of Hong Kong (1877-1882)
• India – George Robinson, Viceroy of India (1880–1884)
• Jamaica – Sir Anthony Musgrave, Governor of Jamaica (1877–1883)
• Malta Colony – Arthur Borton, Governor of Malta (1878–1884)
• New South Wales – Lord Augustus Loftus, Governor of New South Wales (1879–1885)
• Queensland – Sir Arthur Kennedy, Governor of Queensland (1877–1883)
• Tasmania – Major George Strahan, Governor of Tasmania (1881–1886)

• Saint Lucia - Sir Roger Goldsworthy, Administrator of Saint Lucia (1881–1884)

• South Australia – Lieutenant-General William Jervois, Governor of South Australia (1877–1883)
• Victoria – George Phipps, Lord Normanby, Governor of Victoria (1879–1884)
• Western Australia – Sir William Robinson, Governor of Western Australia (1880–1883)