This is a listing of the counties in North Carolina. Please click on the county of your choice to be taken directly to that counties site.
See one that says adoptable and you are interested in adopting it? Contact Diane Siniard for more information. Please be sure to let me know which county or counties you are interested in.
County
County Seat
Created
Origin
Named For
Host
Map
Mailing List
Alamance
Graham
1849
Orange
The Battle of Alamance which was derived from the local Native American word meaning "blue clay" found in the Great Alamance Creek
ADOPTABLE
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Albemarle
Defunct
Created 1664 Abolished 1689
Partitioned into Chowan County, Currituck County, Pasquotank County, and Perquimans County
~
ADOPTABLE
Defunct
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Alexander
Taylorsville
1847
Caldwell County, Iredell County, and Wilkes County
William J. Alexander, member of the legislature and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons
ADOPTABLE
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Alleghany
Sparta
1859
Ashe County
Derived from a corruption of the Delaware Indian name for the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers and is said to have meant "a fine stream"
ADOPTABLE
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Anson
Wadesboro
1750
Bladen County
George, Lord Anson (16971762), a celebrated English admiral who circumnavigated the globe
ADOPTABLE
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Ashe
Jefferson
1799
Wilkes County
Samuel Ashe (17251813), a Revolutionary patriot, superior court judge, and governor of North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Avery
Newland
1911
Caldwell County, Mitchell County, and Watauga County
Waightstill Avery (17411821), a soldier of the Revolution and Attorney General of North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Bath
Defunct
Created 1696 Abolished 1739
Renamed as Craven County
Bath was a stopping place of Edward Teach, better known as the pirate Blackbeard. He is said to have married a local girl and briefly settled in the harbor town of Bath around 1716.
ADOPTABLE
Defunct
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Beaufort
Washington
1712
Original County
Henry Somerset, Duke of Beaufort, who in 1709 became one of the Lords Proprietor
ADOPTABLE
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Bertie
Windsor
1722
Chowan County
James or Henry Bertie, two Lords Proprietor of colonial North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Bladen
Elizabethtown
1734
New Hanover County
Martin Bladen, a member of the Board of Trade
ADOPTABLE
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Brunswick
Bolivia
1764
Bladen County and New Hanover County
George I of Great Britain (16601727), Duke of Brunswick and Lόneburg
ADOPTABLE
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Buncombe
Asheville
1791
Burke County and Rutherford County
Edward Buncombe, a Revolutionary soldier, who was wounded and captured at the Battle of Germantown, and died a paroled prisoner in Philadelphia
ADOPTABLE
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Burke
Morganton
1777
Rowan County
Thomas Burke (17471783), a member of the Continental Congress and governor of North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Bute
Defunct
Created 1764 Abolished 1779
Partitioned into Franklin County and Warren County
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1762 to 1763
ADOPTABLE
Defunct
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Cabarrus
Concord
1792
Mecklenburg County
Stephen Cabarrus (17541808), member of the legislature and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons
ADOPTABLE
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Caldwell
Lenoir
1841
Burke County and Wilkes County
Joseph Caldwell (17731835), the first president of the University of North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Camden
Camden
1777
Pasquotank County
Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden (17141794), who opposed the taxation of the American colonists
ADOPTABLE
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Carteret
Beaufort
1722
Craven County
John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville (16901763), who inherited one-eighth share in the Province of Carolina through his great-grandfather George Carteret
ADOPTABLE
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Caswell
Yanceyville
1777
Orange County
Richard Caswell (17291789), member of the first Continental Congress and first governor of North Carolina after the Declaration of Independence
ADOPTABLE
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Catawba
Newton
1842
Lincoln County
Catawba Nation
ADOPTABLE
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Chatham
Pittsboro
1771
Orange County
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (17081778), Secretary of State during the French and Indian War and was later Prime Minister of Great Brit
ADOPTABLE
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Cherokee
Murphy
1839
Macon County
Cherokee Nation
ADOPTABLE
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Cherokee Reservation
~
1839
Macon County
Cherokee Nation
ADOPTABLE
No Map
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Chowan
Edenton
1668
Albemarle County
Chowan Native American tribe
Diane Siniard
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Clay
Hayesville
1861
Cherokee County
Henry Clay (17771852), statesman and orator who represented Kentucky in both the House of Representatives and Senate
ADOPTABLE
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Cleveland
Shelby
1841
Lincoln County and Rutherford County
Benjamin Cleveland (17381806), a colonel in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain
ADOPTABLE
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Columbus
Whiteville
1808
Bladen County and Brunswick County
Christopher Columbus (14511507), navigator, explorer, and one of the first Europeans to explore the Americas
ADOPTABLE
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Craven
New Bern
1712
Bath County
William Craven, 1st Earl of Craven (16081697), who was a Lords Proprietor of colonial North Carolina
Diane Siniard
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Cumberland
Fayetteville
1754
Bladen County
Prince William, Duke of Cumberland (17211765), a military leader and son of George II
ADOPTABLE
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Currituck
Currituck
1668
Albemarle County
Traditionally said to be an American Indian word for wild geese, also rendered "Coratank"
ADOPTABLE
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Dare
Manteo
1870
Currituck County, Hyde County, and Tyrrell County
Virginia Dare (b. 1587), the first child born of English parents in America
ADOPTABLE
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Davidson
Lexington
1822
Rowan County
William Lee Davidson (17461781), an American Revolutionary War general who was mortally wounded at Cowan's Ford
ADOPTABLE
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Davie
Mocksville
1836
Rowan County
William Richardson Davie (17561820), a member of the Federal Convention and governor of North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Dobbs
Defunct
Created 1758 Abolished 1791
Partitioned into Greene County, Lenoir County, and Wayne County
Arthur Dobbs, Governor of North Carolina from 1754 to 1765.
Diane Siniard
Defunct
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Duplin
Kenansville
1750
New Hanover County
Thomas Hay, Viscount Dupplin (17101787), who was the 9th Earl of Kinnoull
Diane Siniard
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Durham
Durham
1881
Orange County and Wake County
The city of Durham which was named in honor of Dr. Bartlett Snipes Durham who donated the land on which the railroad station was located
ADOPTABLE
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Edgecombe
Tarboro
1741
Bertie County
Richard Edgcumbe, 1st Baron Edgcumbe (16801758), a Lord High Treasurer and Paymaster-General for Ireland
ADOPTABLE
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Forsyth
Winston-Salem
1849
Stokes County
Benjamin Forsyth (d. 1814), an American officer during the War of 1812
ADOPTABLE
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Franklin
Louisburg
1779
Bute County
Benjamin Franklin (17061790), an author, politician, statesman, and Founding Father of the United States
ADOPTABLE
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Gaston
Gastonia
1846
Lincoln County
William Gaston (17781844), a United States Congressman and justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
ADOPTABLE
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Gates
Gatesville
1779
Chowan County, Hertford County, and Perquimans County
Horatio Gates (17271806), an American general during the Revolution at the Battle of Saratoga
Diane Siniard
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Glasgow
Defunct
Created 1764 Abolished 1779
Partitioned into Franklin County and Warren County
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1762 to 1763
See the Greene County Site
Defunct
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Graham
Robbinsville
1872
Cherokee
William Alexander Graham (18041875), a United States Senator, governor of North Carolina, and United States Secretary of the Navy
ADOPTABLE
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Granville
Oxford
1746
Edgecombe County
John Carteret, 2nd Earl Granville (16901763), who inherited one-eighth share in the Province of Carolina through his great-grandfather George Carteret
ADOPTABLE
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Greene
Snow Hill
1791
Dobbs County Originally named Glasgow County
Nathanael Greene (17421786), a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War
Diane Siniard
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Guilford
Greensboro
1771
Orange County and Rowan County
Francis North, 1st Earl of Guilford (17041790), a British politician and father of Prime Minister of Great Britain Frederick North
ADOPTABLE
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Halifax
Halifax
1758
Edgecombe County
George Montagu-Dunk, 2nd Earl of Halifax (17161771), a British statesman and President of the Board of Trade
ADOPTABLE
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Harnett
Lillington
1855
Cumberland County
Cornelius Harnett (17231781), an American Revolutionary and delegate in the Continental Congress
ADOPTABLE
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Haywood
Waynesville
1808
Buncombe County
John Haywood (17541827), a North Carolina State Treasurer
ADOPTABLE
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Henderson
Hendersonville
1838
Buncombe County
Leonard Henderson (17721833), Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court
ADOPTABLE
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Hertford
Winton
1759
Bertie County, Chowan County, and Northampton County
Francis Seymour-Conway, 1st Marquess of Hertford (17181794), who was Lord of the Bedchamber to George II and George III
ADOPTABLE
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Hoke
Raeford
1911
Cumberland County and Robeson County
Robert Hoke (18371912), a Confederate general during the American Civil War
ADOPTABLE
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Hyde
Swan Quarter
1705
Original county Originally named Wickham County
Edward Hyde (c. 16501712), a governor of colonial North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Iredell
Statesville
1788
Rowan County
James Iredell (17511799), a comptroller at the port of Edenton and one of the original justices of the Supreme Court of the United States
ADOPTABLE
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Jackson
Sylva
1851
Haywood County and Macon County
Andrew Jackson (17671845), the 7th President of the United States
ADOPTABLE
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Johnston
Smithfield
1746
Craven County
Gabriel Johnston (16991752), a governor of colonial North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Jones
Trenton
1779
Craven County
Willie Jones (17401801), opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution and declined an invitation to the Constitutional Convention
Diane Siniard
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Lee
Sanford
1907
Chatham County and Moore County
Robert E. Lee (18071870), a career United States Army officer and general of the Confederate forces during the American Civil War
ADOPTABLE
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Lenoir
Kinston
1791
Dobbs County
Originally named Glasgow County
William Lenoir (17511839), a captain in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain
Diane Siniard
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Lincoln
Lincolnton
1779
Tryon County
Benjamin Lincoln (17331810), a major general during the American Revolutionary War who participated in the Siege of Yorktown
ADOPTABLE
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McDowell
Marion
1842
Burke County and Rutherford County
Joseph McDowell (17561801), a soldier in the American Revolutionary War who took part in the Battle of Kings Mountain
ADOPTABLE
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Macon
Franklin
1828
Haywood County
Nathaniel Macon (17581837), a member and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
ADOPTABLE
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Madison
Marshall
1851
Buncombe County and Yancey County
James Madison (17511836), the 4th President of the United States
ADOPTABLE
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Martin
Williamston
1774
Halifax County and Tyrrell County
Josiah Martin (17371786), the last governor of colonial North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Mecklenburg
Charlotte
1762
Anson County
Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz (17441818), the queen consort of George III of the United Kingdom
ADOPTABLE
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Mitchell
Bakersville
1861
Burke County, Caldwell County, McDowell County, Watauga County, and Yancey County
Elisha Mitchell (17931857), a professor at the University of North Carolina who measured the height of Mount Mitchell
ADOPTABLE
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Montgomery
Troy
1779
Anson County
Richard Montgomery (17381775), a major general during the Revolutionary War who was killed at the Battle of Quebec
ADOPTABLE
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Moore
Carthage
1784
Cumberland County
Alfred Moore (17551810), a captain in the Revolutionary War and justice of the Supreme Court of the United States
ADOPTABLE
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Nash
Nashville
1777
Edgecombe County
Francis Nash (17421777), a brigadier general in the Revolutionary War who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Germantown
ADOPTABLE
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New Hanover
Wilmington
1729
Craven County
The royal family of England, members of the House of Hanover
Diane Siniard
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Northampton
Jackson
1741
Bertie County
James Compton, 5th Earl of Northampton (16871754), a British peer and politician
ADOPTABLE
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Onslow
Jacksonville
1734
New Hanover County
Arthur Onslow (16911768), Speaker of the British House of Commons
Diane Siniard
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Orange
Hillsborough
1752
Bladen County, Granville County, and Johnston County
William V, Prince of Orange (17481806), the last Stadtholder of the Dutch Republic
ADOPTABLE
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Pamlico
Bayboro
1872
Beaufort County and Craven County
Pamlico Sound and the Pamlico Native American tribe
Joan S Dunn
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Pasquotank
Elizabeth City
1668
Albemarle County
Derived from the Native American word pasketanki which meant "where the current of the stream divides or forks"
Diane Siniard
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Pender
Burgaw
1875
New Hanover County
William Dorsey Pender (18341863), Confederate soldier who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Gettysburg of the American Civil War
Diane Siniard
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Perquimans
Hertford
1668
Albemarle County
Perquimans Native American tribe
Diane Siniard
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Person
Roxboro
1791
Caswell County
Thomas Person, an American Revolutionary War patriot
ADOPTABLE
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Pitt
Greenville
1760
Beaufort County
William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham (17081778), Secretary of State during the French and Indian War and was later Prime Minister of Great Britain
Diane Siniard
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Polk
Columbus
1855
Henderson County and Rutherford County
William Polk (17581834), officer in the American Revolutionary War and first president of the State Bank of North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Randolph
Asheboro
1779
Guilford County
Peyton Randolph (c. 17211755), the first President of the Continental Congress
ADOPTABLE
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Richmond
Rockingham
1779
Anson County
Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond (17351806), a firm supporter of the American colonists and advocated removal of British troops
ADOPTABLE
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Robeson
Lumberton
1787
Bladen County
Thomas Robeson, an officer in the American Revolutionary War
ADOPTABLE
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Rockingham
Wentworth
1785
Guilford County
Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham (17301782), a British statesmen and two-time Prime Minister of Great Britain
ADOPTABLE
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Rowan
Salisbury
1753
Anson County
Matthew Rowan (d. 1769), was the acting Governor of colonial North Carolina following the death of Governor Nathaniel Rice
ADOPTABLE
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Rutherford
Rutherfordton
1779
Tryon County
Griffith Rutherford (c. 17211805), an officer in the American Revolutionary War and a political leader in North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Sampson
Clinton
1784
Duplin County
John Sampson, a member of Josiah Martin's council
Diane Siniard
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Scotland
Laurinburg
1899
Richmond County
The country Scotland, part of the United Kingdom
ADOPTABLE
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Stanly
Albemarle
1841
Montgomery County
John Stanly (17741834), a United States Congressman and Speaker of the North Carolina House of Commons
ADOPTABLE
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Stokes
Danbury
1789
Surry County
John Stokes, a soldier of the Revolution who was seriously wounded at the Waxhaw massacre
ADOPTABLE
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Surry
Dobson
1771
Rowan County
The county of Surrey in England, birthplace of then governor William Tryon
ADOPTABLE
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Swain
Bryson City
1871
Jackson County and Macon County
David Lowry Swain (18011868), a governor of North Carolina and president of the University of North Carolina
ADOPTABLE
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Transylvania
Brevard
1861
Henderson County and Jackson County
Derived from the Latin words, trans meaning across and sylva meaning woods
ADOPTABLE
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Tryon
Defunct
Created 1768 Abolished 1779
Partitioned into Lincoln County and Rutherford County
William Tryon, Governor of North Carolina from 1765 to 1771
ADOPTABLE
Defunct
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Tyrrell
Columbia
1729
Chowan County, Currituck County, and Pasquotank County
John Tyrrell, at one time was a Lords Proprietor
ADOPTABLE
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Union
Monroe
1842
Anson County and Mecklenburg County
Created as a compromise after a dispute between local Whigs and Democrats as to whether it should be named Clay or Jackson county
ADOPTABLE
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Vance
Henderson
1881
Franklin County, Granville County, and Warren County
Zebulon Baird Vance (18301894), a Confederate military officer in the American Civil War, twice governor of North Carolina, and United States Senator
Paula Franklin
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Wake
Raleigh
1771
Cumberland County, Johnston County, and Orange County
Margaret Wake, the wife of British colonial governor William Tryon
ADOPTABLE
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Warren
Warrenton
1779
Bute County
Joseph Warren (17411775), a Patriot and volunteer private who was mortally wounded at the Battle of Bunker Hill
ADOPTABLE
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Washington
Plymouth
1799
Tyrrell County
George Washington (17321799), the 1st President of the United States
ADOPTABLE
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Watauga
Boone
1849
Ashe County, Caldwell County, Wilkes County, and Yancey County
The Watauga River, which came from a Native American word meaning "beautiful water"
ADOPTABLE
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Wayne
Goldsboro
1779
Dobbs County Originally named Glasgow County
Anthony Wayne (17451796), a general in the American Revolutionary War
Diane Siniard
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Wilkes
Wilkesboro
1778
Surry County
John Wilkes (17251797), an English radical, journalist and politician
ADOPTABLE
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Wilson
Wilson
1855
Edgecombe County, Johnston County, Nash County, and Wayne County
Louis D. Wilson, a state legislator from Edgecombe County who died of fever at Veracruz during the Mexican-American War
ADOPTABLE
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Yadkin
Yadkinville
1850
Surry County
The Yadkin River
ADOPTABLE
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Yancey
Burnsville
1833
Buncombe County and Burke County
Bartlett Yancey (17851828), a United States Congressman, Speaker of the North Carolina Senate, and early advocate for the North Carolina Public School System
ADOPTABLE
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