Parts of Kesteven is a traditional subdivision of Lincolnshire, England. This subdivision had long had a separate county administration (Quarter Sessions), along with the other two parts Lindsey and Holland).

The word Kesteven is supposed to have derived from two root words: the Celtic ced meaning wood (cf. Modern Welsh coed) + the Old English stefna, a meeting place.

The three parts were given separate elected county councils in 1889 by the Local Government Act 1888, and recognised as administrative counties. These separate county councils were abolished in 1974 and Lincolnshire (minus the northern part of Lindsey) had a single county council for the first time, although the name survives in the districts of North Kesteven and South Kesteven. Kesteven lies in the south-west of Lincolnshire. It includes the towns of:

• Bourne
• Bracebridge
• Grantham
• Market Deeping
• Ruskington
• Sleaford
• Stamford

Kesteven was historically divided into the wapentakes of Aswardhurn, Aveland, Beltisloe, Boothby Graffoe, Flaxwell, Langoe, Loveden, Ness, and Winnibriggs and Threo. Grantham and Stamford were administered separately.

Geography of Lincolnshire | History of Lincolnshire | Local government in Lincolnshire | Former administrative counties | Kesteven