FREDERICK

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. The County was erected by Chapter 6 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 50, 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 1695 (May Session). The
County seat is Upper Marlboro.

QUEEN ANNE'S

Named for Queen Anne. It was erected by Chapter 3 of the Acts of
1906. The County seat is Centreville.

ST. MARY'S

Named in honor of the Virgin Mary. Here the Ark and the Dove landed
on Annunciation Day (March 25). This was the first county erected in
Maryland, having been created in 1637 by an order of the Governor. The
County seat is Leonardtown.

SOMERSET

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