NAMES AND ORIGINS OF COUNTIES

ALLEGANY

The name is from the Indian word Oolikhanna meaning "Beautiful
Stream." It was erected by an Act of Assembly, Chapter 29, Acts of
1789. The County seat is Cumberland.
ANNE ARUNDEL

This county was named for the Lady Anne Arundel, wife of Cecil-
ius, Second Lord Baltimore and founder of the Colony. It owes its
origin to an Act of Assembly, Chapter 8, Acts of 1650. The County
seat is Annapolis, which is also the Capital of the State.

BALTIMORE CITY

The existence of Baltimore City as a distinct governmental unit
was provided for by the Constitutional Convention of 1850 when it
was separated from Baltimore County. The name is that of the Pro-
prietary's Irish Barony.
BALTIMORE

The name of this County, like that of Baltimore City, derives from
the name of the Proprietary's Irish Barony. Its legal origin is not
known, but it was surely in existence by January 12, 1659/60 when a
writ was issued to the sheriff of the County. The County seat is
Towson.
CALVERT

This County takes its name from the family name of the Propri-
etary. It was established by an Order in Council of 1654 and it was
called Patuxent County until 1658. The County seat is Prince Fred-
erick.
CAROLINE

The sister of the last Lord Baltimore, Lady Caroline Calvert, gave
her name to this County. It owes its existence to Chapter 6 of the
Acts of Assembly of 1773. The County seat is Denton.

CARROLL

This County was named for the distinguished Revolutionary states-
man, Charles Carroll of Carrollton. It was erected by Chapter 19 of
the Acts of 1836. The County seat is Westminster.

CECIL

Named for Cecilius, Second Lord Baltimore and founder of the
Colony. This County was erected in 1674 by Proclamation of the
Governor. The County seat is Elkton.
CHARLES

Named for Charles Calvert, son and heir of Cecilius, Second Lord
Baltimore. It owes its origin to an Order in Council of 1658. It is
not to be confused with an earlier Charles County, known as Old
Charles County. The County seat. is La Plata.
DORCHESTER

Named for Earl Dorset, a family friend of the Calverts. The exact
date and the legal origin of the County are unknown, but it was cer-
tainly in existence by February 16, 1668/69 when a writ was issued
to the sheriff of the county. The County seat is Cambridge.

FREDERICK

This county was named for Frederick Calvert who became sixth
and last Lord Baltimore, or Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales, or
Frederick the Great. It was created by Chapter 15, Acts of 1748. The
County seat is Frederick.