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.

GARRETT

Named for John W. Garrett, industrialist and financier. It was created
by Chapter 212 of the Acts of 1872. The County seat is Oakland.

HARFORD

Named for Henry Harford, last Proprietary. He was a son of Frederick,
sixth Lord Baltimore, but because of his illegitimate birth did not inherit
the title. It was erected by Chapter16 of the Acts of 1773. The County
seat is Bel Air.

HOWARD

Named for John Eager Howard, soldier and statesman. The county
was created in 1851 by Article VIII, Section I of the Constitution of that
year. However, the area which later became Howard County was set up
as Howard District of Anne Arundel County by Chapter 22 of the Acts of
1838; confirmed by Chapter 60, Acts of 1839 and thereafter, until 1851,
enjoyed the status of a county except that it was not represented in the
General Assembly. The County seat is Ellicott City.

KENT

This county derives its name from the English county of the same name.
It was first referred to as a county in 1642, but it could have acquired this
status as early as 1640 when mention is made of a sheriff for the Isle of Kent.
The County seat is Chestertown.

MONTGOMERY

Named for the Revolutionary General, Richard Montgomery. The
county was created by the Constitutional Convention of 1776. The
County seat is Rockville.

PRINCE GEORGE'S

Named for Prince George of Denmark, husband of Queen Anne. This
County was erected by Chapter 13, Acts of 1696. The County seat is
Upper Marlboro.

QUEEN ANNE'S

This county is named for Queen Anne. It was erected by Chapter 3 of
the Acts of 1706. The County seat is Centreville.

ST. MARY'S

Named in honor of the Virgin Mary. The Ark and the Dove landed
on Annunciation Day (March 26). This was the first county erected in
Maryland, having been created in 1637 by an order of the Governor. The
County seat is Leonardtown.

SOMERET

Named after Mary Somerset, sister Cecilius, Second Lord Baltimore.
It was created by an Order in Council of 1666. The County seat is Princess
Anne.