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 Cecilius,
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 Annapo-
lis, which is also the Capital of the State.

BALTIMORE CITY

The existence of Baltimore City as a distinct governmental unit was pro-
vided for by the Constitutional Convention of 1850 when it was separated
from Baltimore County. The name is that of the Proprietary'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 proprietary. It
was established by an Order in Council of 1654 and it was called Patuxent
County until 1658. The County seat is Prince Frederick.

CAROLINE

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

CARROLL

This County was named for the distinguished Revolutionary statesman,
Charles Carroll of Carrollton. It was erected by Chapter 256, Acts of
1835 and confirmed 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 Balti-
more. 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 of Dorset, a family friend of the Calverts. The exact
date and the legal origin of the County are unknown, but it was certainly
in existence by February 16, 1668/69 when a writ was issued to the sheriff
of the county. The County seat is Cambridge.