VIRGINIA COUNTIES

Below are the present 95 counties in Virginia and the 4 seventeenth century counties, ( Elizabeth City , Norfolk , Princess Anne  and Warwick ), plus those which have become extinct. The date given for the formation of each county is that of the passage of the Act of the Assembly creating the county, rather than the date of the actual beginning of county government. Often the latter event occurred in the year following that of legislative establishment. .

ACCAWMACK COUNTY

One of the original eight shires of Virginia created in 1634. The name was changed to Northampton County in 1643. **The oldest, continuous group of county records known to exist anywhere in the United States .** Records antedate the formation of county government in Virginia and begin in  1632.  This county no longer exists.

ACCOMACK COUNTY

Accomack County was named for the Indian tribe which occupied the Eastern Shore at the time of settlement. The present county of Accomack was formed from Northampton County about 1663. The county's land area is 470 square miles, and the county seat is Accomac.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY

Albemarle County was named for William Anne Keppel , second Earl of Albemarle and Governor General of the colony from 1737 to 1754. It was formed from Goochland in I744, and part of Louisa , and certain islands in the " Fluvanna River ," (now called the James ), were added later. Its area is 739 square miles, and the county seat is Charlottesville .

ALEXANDRIA COUNTY

In 1789 the General Assembly passed an act which made Virginia land available for the new capital. In 1801, this land was established as Alexandria County in the District of Columbia . The county was returned to Virginia and in 1847 it was organized as a Virginia county. In 1920 it's name was changed to Arlington County .   This county no longer exists.

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

Alleghany County was named for the Allegheny Mountains , a range of which passes along the county's western boundary. It was formed from Bath , Botetourt, and Monroe (now in West Virginia ) in 1822 and parts of Monroe and Bath were added later. Its area is 451 square miles, and the county seat is Covington .

AMELIA COUNTY

Amelia County was named for Princess Amelia Sophia Eleanora , daughter of George II  of England . It was formed from Prince George and Brunswick in 1734. Its area is 366 square miles, and the county seat is Amelia .

AMHERST COUNTY

Amherst County was named for Major General Sir Jeffrey Amherst , British commander in North America during the latter part of the French and Indian War and Governor General of Virginia from 1759 to 1768. It was formed from Albe marle in 1761. Its area is 467 square miles and the county seat is Amherst .

APPOMATTOX COUNTY

Appomattox County was named for the Appomattox River which rises in the county. The name was earlier borne by an Indian tribe living near the mouth of the river. The county was formed from parts of Buckingha m , Prince Edward , Charlotte , and Campbell 1845, and another part of Campbell was added in 1848. Its area is 343 square miles, and the county seat is Appomattox .

ARLINGTON COUNTY

Arlington County was originally known as Alexandria County it was established in 1847 from that part of the District of Columbia which was ceded back to Virginia in 1846. Before being ceded to the Federal government in 1791, this area was a part of Fairfax County . The present name, given in 1920, honors Arlington , the Custis family mansion, (at one time the home of Robert E. Lee ), which is located in the county. Its area is 24 square miles, and the county seat is Arlington .

AUGUSTA COUNTY

Augusta County was named in honor of Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha , wife of Frederick Louis , Prince of Wales , the father George II I . It was formed from Orange County in 1738, but because of the unsettled state of the region, county government was not actually established there until 1745. Its area is 986 square miles, and the county seat is Staunton .

BATH COUNTY

Bath County was so called because of the many mineral springs found in the county. It was formed from Augusta , Botetourt, and Greenbrier now in West Virginia ) in 1790. Its area is 540 square miles, and the county seat is Warm Springs.

BEDFORD COUNTY

Bedford County was probably named for John Russell , fourth Duke of Bedford who, as Secretary of State for the Southern Department, had General Supervision over colonial affairs. It was formed from Lunenburg in 1753, and parts of Albemarle and Lunenburg were added later. Its area is 774 square miles, and the county seat is Bedford .

BLAND COUNTY

Bland County is said to have been named for Richard Bland , a leader of the colony of Virginia 's resistance to Great Britain . It was formed from Giles Wythe and Tazewell in 1861, and another part of Giles was added later. Its area is 369 square miles, and the County seat is Bland .

BOTETOURT COUNTY

Botetourt County was named for Norborne Berkeley , Baron Botetourt , the royal governor who served from 1768 to 1770. It was formed from Augusta in 1769. A part of Rockbridge was added later. Its area is 549 square miles, and the County seat is Fincastle.

BRUNSWICK COUNTY

Brunswick County was named for the duchy of Brunswick-Lineburg, one of the German possessions of King George I . It was formed in 1720 from Prince George but, because of the sparse population, county government was not organized until 1732. In the latter year Brunswick was enlarged by the addition of parts of Surrey and Isle of Wight . Its area is 579 square miles, and the county seat is Lawrenceville.

BUCHANAN COUNTY

Buchanan County was named for President James Buchanan  and was formed from Tazewell and Russell in 1858. Its area is 496 square miles, and Grundy is the county seat.

BUCKINGHAM COUNTY

Buckingham County was probably named for the English county, but according to some sources the name came from Archibald Cary 's tract of land called " Buckingham ," on Willis 's Creek. Its area is 576 square miles, and the county seat is Buckingham .

CAMPBELL COUNTY

Campbell County was named for General William Campbell  one of the heroes of the Battle of King's Mountain in 1780. County was formed from Bedford in 1781. Its area is 530 square miles, and the County seat is Rustburg.

CAROLINE COUNTY

Caroline County was named for Caroline of Anspach , Queen of England  and consort of George II . It was formed from Essex , King and Queen Co., and King William Co. in 1728, and parts of King and Queen were added later. Its area is 544 square miles, and the County seat is Bowling Green .

CARROLL COUNTY

Carroll County was named for Charles Carroll  of Carrollton , a signer of the Declaration of Independence from Maryland . It was formed from Grayson in 1842, and part of Patrick was added later. Its area is 496 square miles, and the County seat is Hillsville.

CHARLES CITY COUNTY

Charles City County named for Charles I  of England  and was one of the eight shires established in 1634. Its area is 184 square miles, and the county seat is Charles City .

CHARLES RIVER COUNTY

One of the eight original shires of Virginia created in 1634. Its name was changed in 1642 to York County . See York County for records information.   This county no longer exists.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY

Charlotte County was named for Princess Charlotte  of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Queen of England  and consort of George II I . It was formed from Lunenburg in 1764. Its area is 468 square miles and the county seat is Charlotte Court House.

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY

Chesterfield County was named for Philip Dormer Stanhope  4th Earl of Chesterfield, British statesman and diplomat, and was formed from Henrico in 1749. Its area is 465 square miles, and the county seat is Chesterfield Court House.

CLARKE COUNTY

Clarke County was named for General George Rogers Clark  (whose name is misspelled in that of the county), who helped win the Northwest Territory for Virginia during the Revolution. It was formed from Frederick in 1836, and part of Warren was added later. Its area is 174 square miles, and the county seat is Berryville.

CRAIG COUNTY

Craig County was named for Robert Craig  delegate from Roanoke County in the Virginia General Assembly, 1850-1852. The county was formed from Botetourt, Roanoke , Giles, and Monroe (now in West Virginia ) in 1851, and several subsequent additions were made from Alleghany, Giles, Monroe and Montgomery . Its area is 336 square miles, and the county seat is New Castle .

CULPEPER COUNTY

Culpeper County was probably named either for Thomas , Lord Culpeper , Governor of Virginia from 1677 to 1683, or for his family which long held proprietary rights in the Northern Neck. Lord Culpeper is the grandfather of Thomas , Lord Fairfax , his only child, Catherine , having married Thomas , 5^th Baron Fairfax of Cameron .  It was formed from Orange in 1749. Its area is 389 square miles, and the county seat is Culpeper .   At the beginning of the Revolutionary War, a regiment of "Minute Men" were formed with men from Culpeper , Orange and Fauquier Counties .  The Culpeper Corps dressed in forest green hunting shirts, each man wearing a leather belt around his shoulder with a tomahawk and scalping knife.  The flag for the Corps was aggressive in appearance.  It depicted a rattle snake with twelve rattles, a head for Virginia and a rattle for each of the other colonies.  Above the coiled snake were the words "The Culpeper Minute Men" and below " Liberty or Death" and "Don't Tread On Me."[i]

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Cumberland County was named for William Augustus , Duke of Cumberland, third son of George II . It was formed from Goochland in 1749. Its area is 288 square miles, and the county seat is Cumberland .

DICKENSON COUNTY

Dickenson County was named for William J. Dickenson , delegate from Russell County at the time of the county's establishment. It was formed from Russell , Wise, and Buchanan in 1880. Its area is 335 square miles, and the county seat is Clintwood.

DINWIDDIE COUNTY

Dinwiddie County was named for Robert Dinwiddie , Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1751 to 1758, and was formed from Prince George in 1752. Its area is 501 square miles, and the county seat is Dinwiddie .

DUNMORE COUNTY

County was created on May 15, 17 72 from Frederick County . County's name was changed to Shenandoah County    on February 1, 17 78. See Shenandoah County for records information.   This county no longer exists.

ELIZABETH CITY COUNTY

Elizabeth City County was named for Princess Elizabeth , daughter of King James I , and was one of the eight shires established in 1634. Prior to 1634 it was known as Kecoughtan.  It became extinct in 1951, when it was incorporated into the City of Hampton , which was the county seat.  Many records are missing due to war. Records are complete from 1865. The town of Hampton was burned during the Revolutionary War, The War of 1812 and The Civil War. Records are spotty from 1634-1861.   This county no longer exists.

ESSEX COUNTY

Essex County was probably named for the English county. It was formed from Rappahannock County in 1692. Its area is 250 square miles, and the county seat is Tappahannock.

FAIRFAX COUNTY

Fairfax County was named for Thomas , sixth Baron Fairfax , Baron of Cameron.  Through marriages and inheritances, Lord Fairfax  became the sole proprietor of a king's grant of all of Northern Virginia .  The area ;between the Rappahannock River and the Potomac River .   Approximately 5,200,00 acres.  This land grant was known as the Northern Neck, of Fairfax , Proprietary.  Thomas Fairfax  collected a lease fee of about two shillings per acre per year form those to whom he issued land grants.[ii]  It was formed from Prince William in 1742. Its area is 414 square miles and the county seat is Fairfax .

FAUQUIER COUNTY

Fauquier County was named for Francis Fauquier , Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1758 to 1768. It was formed in 1759 from Prince William . Its area is 660 square miles, and the county seat is Warrenton.

FINCASTLE COUNTY

Was created on December 1, 17 72 from Botetourt County . County was abolished on December 31, 17 76 to form Montgomery and Washington counties in Virginia and Kentucky County .   This county no longer exists.

FLOYD COUNTY

Floyd County was named for John Floyd , Governor of Virginia from 1830 to 1834. It was formed from Montgomery in 1831, and part of Franklin was added later. Its area is 383 square miles, and the county seat is Floyd .

FLUVANNA COUNTY

Fluvanna County takes it name from an eighteenth-century term for the upper James River . The name, meaning " river of Anne ," was originally bestowed in honor of (Queen Anne of England . The county was formed from Albemarle in 1777. Its area is 282 square miles, and the county seat is Palmyra .

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Franklin County was named for Benjamin Franklin  and was formed from Bedford and Henry in 1785. Its area is 718 square miles, and the county seat is Rocky Mount .

FREDERICK COUNTY

Frederick County was named in honor of Frederick Louis , Prince of Wales  and eldest son of George II . It was formed from Orange in 1738; but, because of the unsettled state of the region, county government was not organized until 1743. Part of Augusta was added later. Its area is 432 square miles, and the county seat is Winchester .

GILES COUNTY

Giles County was named for William Branch Giles , United States Senator from Virginia at the time of the county's formation. It was formed from Montgomery , Monroe (now in West Virginia and Tazewell in 1806, and parts of Wythe , Monroe , Mercer ( West Virginia ), Craig , and Tazewell were added later. Its area is 356 square miles, and the county seat is Pearisburg.

GLOUCESTER COUNTY

Gloucester County was probably named for the English county although according to one source it honored Henry , Duke of Gloucester , the third son of Charles I .  It was formed from York in 1651. Its area is 225 square miles, and the county seat is Gloucester .

GOOCHLAND COUNTY

Goochland County was named for William Gooch , Lieut. Governor of Virginia from 1727 to 1749. It was formed from Henrico in 1728. Its area is 289 square miles, and the county seat is Goochland.

GRAYSON COUNTY

Grayson County was named for Colonel William Grayson , one of the first two United States Senators from Virginia . It was formed from Wythe in 1792, and part of Patrick was added later. Its area is 451 square miles, and the county seat is Independence .

GREENE COUNTY

Greene County was named for General Nathaniel Green  American commander in the Revolutionary War, and was formed from Orange in 1838. Its area is 153 square miles, and its county seat is Stanardsville.

GREENSVILLE COUNTY

Greensville County was also named for General Greene .  It was formed from Brunswick in 1780, and parts of Brunswick and Sussex were added later. Its area is 301 square miles, and the county seat is Emporia .

HALIFAX COUNTY

Halifax County was named for George Montagu Dunk , second Earl of Halifax, who was president of the Board of Trade from 1748 to 1761. It was formed from Lunenburg in 1752. Its area is 808 square miles, and the county seat is Halifax .

HANOVER COUNTY

Hanover County was named for George I , who, at the time of his accession to the English throne, was Elector of Hanover, Germany . The county was formed from New Kent in 1721. Its area is 466 square miles, and the county seat is Hanover .

HENRICO COUNTY

Henrico County was named for Henry , Prince of Wales , the eldest son of James I . This county was one of the eight shires established in 1634. Its area is 232 square miles, and the county seat is Richmond .

HENRY COUNTY

Henry County was named for Patrick Henry . It was formed from Pittsylvania in 1776. Its area is 385 square miles, and the county seat is Martinsville .

HIGHLAND COUNTY

Highland County was so named because of its mountainous terrain. It was formed from Pendleton (now West Virginia ) and Bath in 1847. Its area is 416 square miles, and the county seat is Monterey .

ILLINOIS COUNTY

Illinois County was created in 1778 and made up the present day states of Illinois , Indiana , Michigan , Ohio and Wisconsin . Illinois county was ceded to the federal government in 1784.   This county no longer exists.

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNTY

Isle of Wight County was probably named for the Isle of Wight on the coast of southern England . It was first known as Warrosquyoake and was one of the eight shires established in 1634. The present name was given in 1637. The area is 321 square miles and the county seat is Isle of Wight .

JAMES CITY COUNTY

James City County was named for James I . It was one of the eight shires established in 1634. Parts of New Kent and York were added later. Its area is 148 Square miles, and Williamsburg is the county seat.

KENTUCKY COUNTY

Created from Fincastle County in 1776. In 1780 it was divided into three counties; Fayette, Jefferson and Lincoln .    This county no longer exists.

KECOUGHTON

One of the original shires, created in 1634; changed later to Elizabeth City County became extinct in 1952 when it was incorporated into the City of  Hampton .    This county no longer exists.

KING AND QUEEN COUNTY

King and Queen County was named for William III  and Mary  who were called to the English throne in 1688. It was formed from New Kent in 1691. Its area is 318 square miles, and King and Queen Court House is the county seat.

KING GEORGE COUNTY

King George County was named in honor of George I of England  and was formed from Richmond County in 1720. Part of Westmoreland was added to the county later. Its area is 178 square miles, and King George is the county seat.

KING WILLIAM COUNTY

King William County was named for William III  and was formed from King and Queen in 17O1. Its Area is 278 square mile and the county seat is King William .

LANCASTER COUNTY

Lancaster County was probably named for the English county. It was formed from Northumberland and York in 1651. Its area is 142 square miles, and the county seat is Lancaster .

LEE COUNTY

Lee County was named for Henry (Light Horse Harry) Lee   Governor of Virginia from 1791 to 1794, and was formed from Russell in 1792. Part of Scott was added later. Its area is 434 square miles, and the county seat is Jonesvllle.

LOUDON COUNTY

Loudon County was named for John Campbell , 4th Earl of Loudon, who was the titular governor of Virginia and commander of British forces in North America during the early part of the French and Indian War, and Governor General of Virginia from 1756 to 1759. It was formed from Fairfax in 1757. Its area is 517 square miles, and the county seat is Leesburg.  At its formation there were two new ecclesiastical parish established, Cameron and Shelburne Parishes, with Goose Creek as the dividing line between them.

LOUISA COUNTY

Louisa County was named for Princess Louisa , a daughter of George II . It was formed from Hanover in 1742. Its area is 514 square miles, and the county seat is Louisa.

LOWER NORFOLK COUNTY

County was created in 1637 when New Norfolk County was divided and abolished. Lower Norfolk County became extinct when it was divided to form Princess Anne  and Norfolk counties in 1691.    This county no longer exists.

LUNENBURG COUNTY

Lunenburg County was named for Luneburg, one of the German possessions of England's Hanoverian kings. It was formed from Brunswick in 1746. Its area is 443 square miles, and the county seat is Lunenburg.

MADISON COUNTY

Madison County was named for James Madison , then a member of Congress from Virginia. It was formed from Culpeper in 1792. Its area is 327 square miles, and Madison is the county seat.

MATHEWS COUNTY

Mathews County was named for Major Thomas Mathews  of Gloucester County, Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. The county was formed from Gloucester in 1790. Its land area is 87 square miles, and the county seat is Mathews.

MECKLENBURG COUNTY

Mecklenburg County was named, like Charlotte County, for Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz , consort of George II I . It was formed from Lunenburg in 1764. Its area is 665 square miles; and Boydton is the county seat.

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Middlesex County was probably named for the English county. It was formed from Lancaster about 1669. Its area is 132 square miles, and the county seat is Saluda.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Montgomery County was named for General Richard Montgomery , who was killed in the American assault on Quebec late in 1775. It was formed from Fincastle in 1776, and parts of Botetourt and Pulaski were added later. Its area is 395 square miles, and Christiansburg is the county seat.

NANSEMOND COUNTY

Nansemond County was named for the Nansemond River which flows through the county, or for the Nansemond Indians who were living in the area in the early seventeenth century. Created in 1637 as Upper Norfolk and the name was changed in 1645 to Nansemond. In 1674, an act was passed establishing Isle of Wight and Nansemond counties. In 1656, 1769 and 1772 sections of Nansemond County were transferred to Isle of Wight County and in 1786 some were transferred to Southampton County. Nansemond became in independent city in 1972 and merged with the City of Suffolk in 1974. 

Fire at the home of the county clerk destroyed most of the records in 1734. The clerks office was destroyed again by British infantry in 1779.  Fire destroyed the clerks office in 1866.  There is a collection of papers and books on Nansemond County at the Duke University Library in Durham, N.C. 

The present name was adopted in 1646. Its area is 402 Square miles, and the county seat is Suffolk.

NELSON COUNTY

Nelson County was named for Thomas Nelson , Governor of Virginia from June to November, 1781. It was formed in 1807 from Amherst. Its area is 468 square miles, and the county seat is Lovingston.

NEW KENT COUNTY

New Kent County was probably named for the English county Kent. Colonel William Claiborne , a native of Kent, was a prominent resident of the Virginia county at the time of its formation. New Kent County was formed from York about 1654.  Its area is 221 square miles, and its county seat is New Kent.

NEW NORFOLK COUNTY

New Norfolk County was created from Elizabeth City County in 1636. The county became extinct in 1637 when it was divided into Lower and Upper Norfolk counties.  This county no longer exists.

NORFOLK COUNTY

Created from Lower Norfolk County when that county was divided and abolished in 1691. Norfolk County became extinct in 1963 when it was consolidated to form the City of Chesapeake.   Norfolk County was probably named for the English county.  The county seat was Portsmouth.   This county no longer exists.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY

Northampton County was named, most probably, for the English county, of which Colonel Obedience Robins , a prominent early resident of the Eastern Shore, was a native. The county, which originally included all of the peninsula south of Maryland and which is one of the eight shires established in 1634, was first called Accomack. The name was changed by legislative action in 1643. Its land area is 226 square miles, and the county seat is Eastville.

NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY

Northumberland County was probably named for the English county. It was formed about 1645 from the district of Chickacoan which was the name given during the early seventeenth century to the area between the Potomac and the Rappahannock. Its land area is 200 square miles, and its county seat is Heathsville.

NOTTOWAY COUNTY

Nottoway County was most probably named for the Nottoway River, which in turn was named for an Indian tribe living along it during the early seventeenth century. It was formed from Amelia in 1788. Its area is 308 square miles, and the county seat is Nottoway.

OLD RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY

Created in 1656, it became extinct in 1692 when it was split to form Essex and Richmond counties. It was created from Lancaster County. For records information see Essex County.  This county no longer exists.

ORANGE COUNTY

Orange County, according to most accounts, was named for William of Orange , the Dutch prince who became William III  of England  in 1688. It is more probable, however, that the name honored William IV,  Prince of Orange-Nassau , who married Princess Anne , eldest daughter of George II , in 1734. Orange County was formed from Spotsylvania the same year. Its area is 354 square miles, and the county seat is Orange.

PAGE COUNTY

Page County was named, according to most sources, for John Page , Revolutionary patriot, Congressman, and Governor of Virginia from 1802 to 1805. It Was formed from Rockingham and Shenandoah in 1831. Its area is 3I6 square miles, and the county seat is Luray.

PATRICK COUNTY

Patrick County, like Henry County, was named for Patrick Henry . It was formed from Henry County in 1790. Its area is 469 square miles and the county seat is Stuart.

PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY

Pittsylvania County was named in honor of William Pitt , the great English statesman. It was formed from Halifax in 1766. Its area is 1,022 square miles, and the county seat is Chatham.

POWHATAN COUNTY

Powhatan County was named for the Indian chieftain . It was formed from Cumberland in 1713, and part of Chesterfield was added late. Its area is 268 square miles and the county seat is Powhatan.

PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY

Prince Edward County was named for Prince Edward Augustus , a son of Prince Frederick Louis  and a grandson of George II . It was formed from Amelia in 1753. Its area is 357 square miles, and the county seat is Farmville.

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY

Prince George County was named for Prince George of Denmark , husband of Queen Anne of England . It was formed from Charles City in 1702. Its area is 284 square miles, and the county seat is Prince George.

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY

Prince William County was named for Prince William Augustus - the third son of King George I I . It was formed from Stafford and King George in 1730. Its area is 347 square miles, and the county seat is Manassas.

PRINCESS ANNE COUNTY

Princess Anne  County was named for Princess Anne , daughter of James I I , who later ascended the throne as Queen Anne . The county was formed from Lower Norfolk in 1691, and became extinct in 1963, after its consolidation with the City of Virginia Beach. The county seat was Princess Anne.

PULASKI COUNTY

Pulaski County was named for Count Casimir Pulaski , the Polish patriot who served in the American army during the Revolutionary War and who was killed during the siege of Savannah. It was formed from Montgomery and Wythe in 1839. Its area is 331 square miles, and the county seat is Pulaski.

RAPPHANNOCK COUNTY

Rappahannock County was named for the Rappahannock River. There have been two counties named Rappahannock. The first was created from Lancaster in 1656 and became extinct in 1692 when it was divided into Essex and Richmond counties. The present county was formed from Culpeper in 1833. Its area is 167 square miles, and the county seat is Washington.

RICHMOND COUNTY

Richmond County was probably named for the borough in the county of Surrey in England. It was formed from Rappahannock in 1692. Its land area is 192 square miles, and the County seat is Warsaw.

ROANOKE COUNTY

Roanoke County was named for the river. The county was formed from Botetourt in 1838, and a part of Montgomery was added later. Its area is 276 square miles, and Salem is the county seat.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY

Rockbridge County was named for Natural Bridge, which is located in the county. The county was formed from Augusta and Botetourt in 1778, and another part of Botetourt was added later. Its area is 604 square miles, and the county seat is Lexington.

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

Rockingham County was named for Charles Watson-Wentworth , second  Marquis of Rockingham, who supported the colonies in their disputes with Great Britain. It was formed from Augusta in 1778. Its area is 869 square miles, and the county seat is Harrisonburg.

RUSSELL COUNTY

Russell County was probably named for William Russel l , hero of the Battle of King's Mountain. The county was formed from Washington in 1786. Its area is 483 square miles, and the county seat is Lebanon.

SCOTT COUNTY

Scott County was named for General Winfield Scott , a native of Virginia, in recognition of his victories during the War of 1812. It was formed from Lee, Russell and Washington in 1814. Area is 539 square miles, and the county seat is Gate City.

SHENANDOAH COUNTY

Shenandoah County was named for the river. The county was first named Dunmore , in honor of the governor, when it was formed from Frederick in 1772. The present name was given in 1778. Its land area is 507 square miles, and the county seat is Woodstock.

SMYTH COUNTY

Smyth County was named for General Alexander Smyth , a Congressman from Virginia at the time of the county's establishment. It was formed from Washington and Wythe in 1832. Its area is 435 square miles, and the county seat is Marion.

SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY

Southampton County Was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley , third Earl of Southampton, and treasurer of the London Company, from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the borough of Southampton in England. Southampton County was formed in 1749 from Isle of Wight, and part of Nansemond was added later. Its area is 607 square miles, and the county seat is Courtland.

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY

Spotsylvania County was named for Alexander Spotswood  Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1710 to 1722. It was formed from Essex, King William, and King and Queen in 1720. Its area is 413 square miles, and the county seat is Spotsylvania.

STAFFORD COUNTY

Stafford County was named for the English county. It was formed from Westmoreland in 1664. Its area is 271 square miles and the county seat is Stafford.

SURRY COUNTY

Surry County was named for the county of Surrey in England, was formed from James City about 1652. Its area is 280 square miles, and the county seat is Surry.

SUSSEX COUNTY

Sussex County was named for the English county, and was formed from Surry in 1753. Its area is 496 square miles and the county seat is Sussex.

TAZEWELL COUNTY

Tazewell County was named for Henry Tazewell , United States Senator from Virginia from 1794 until his death in 1799. It was formed from Wythe and Russell in 1799, and parts of Logan (West Virginia), Russell, Wythe, and Washington were added later. Its area is 522 square miles, and the county seat is Tazewell.

UPPER NORFOLK COUNTY

Created in 1637 when New Norfolk County was divided and abolished. Upper Norfolk County was renamed  Nansemond County in 1645.    This county no longer exists.

WARREN COUNTY

Warren County was named for Dr. Joseph Warren , Revolutionary War patriot of Boston who was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill. It was formed from Shenandoah and Frederick in 1836. Its area is 219 square miles, and Front Royal is the county seat.

WARROSQUYOAKE COUNTY

One of the eight original shires of Virginia created in 1634. In 1637 it was renamed Isle of Wight County.  This county no longer exists.

WARWICK COUNTY

Warwick County was named either for Robert Rich , Earl of Warwick, a prominent member of the London Company, or for the county of Warwick in England. The county was originally called Warwick River Co. and was one of the eight shires formed in 1634. The shorter name was given in 1643. Warwick County became extinct in 1952, and the territory it comprised is now contained within the consolidated City of Newport News. Denbigh was the county seat.

WARWICK RIVER

One of the eight original shires of Virginia created in 1634. The county became extinct in 1952 when it became the City of Warwick. The City of Warwick was consolidated with the City of Newport News in 1958. Almost all of the records were destroyed during the Civil War.   This county no longer exists.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Washington County was the first locality in the United States known to have been named for George Washington . It was formed from Fincastle in 1776, and a part of Montgomery was added later. Its area is 579 square miles, and the county seat is Abingdon.

WESTMORELAND COUNTY

Westmoreland County was named for the English county. It was formed from Northumberland in 1653, and part of King George was added later. Its area is 236 square miles, and the county seat is Montross.

WISE COUNTY

Wise County was named for Henry Alexander Wise , Governor nor of Virginia from 1856 to 1860. It was formed in 1856 from Lee, Scott, and Russell. Its area is 414 square miles, and the county seat is Wise.

WYTHE COUNTY

Wythe County was named for George Wythe , a signer of Declaration of Independence and, at the time of the formation of the county, Chancellor of Virginia. It was formed from Montgomery in 1789, and part of Grayson was added later. Its area is 460 square miles, and the county seat is Wytheville.

YOHOGANIA COUNTY

Created from the West Augusta territory in 1776. The county was ceded to Pennsylvania in 1785.   This county no longer exists.

YORK COUNTY

York County was originally named Charles River, and was one of the eight shires formed in 1634. The present name was given in 1643, probably in honor of James , Duke of York , the second son of Charles I . Its area is 123 square miles, and the county seat is Yorktown.