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 (April Session). The
County seat is Annapolis, which is also the Capital of the State.

BALTIMORE CITY

The existence of Baltimore City as a governmental unit distinct from
Baltimore County was provided for by the Constitutional Convention
of 1860. 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. The legal origin of Balti-
more County 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 Eden, gave her
name to this County. It owes its existence to Chapter 10 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 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 Gov-
ernor. 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 the 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.