List of Texas county name etymologies

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This is a list of Texas county name etymologies. Also available is a list of Texas counties, an analysis of Texas county namesakes, and a list of Texas county seat name etymologies. All cover all counties in Texas.


Contents

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Top of page — See also — External links

[edit] A

County County Seat Named for
Anderson Palestine Kenneth Lewis Anderson, the last vice president of the Republic of Texas
Andrews Andrews Richard Andrews, the first Texan soldier to die in the Texas Revolution
Angelina Lufkin a Hainai Native American woman who assisted early Spanish missionaries and was named Angelina by them; Angelina County is the only county in Texas named for a woman
Aransas Rockport the Rio Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu, a Spanish outpost in early Texas
Archer Archer City Branch Tanner Archer, a commissioner for the Republic of Texas
Armstrong Claude any one of several Texas pioneer families
Atascosa Jourdanton the Spanish word for boggy
Austin Bellville Stephen F. Austin, the person who facilitated the Anglo American colonization of Texas and is known as the Father of Texas

[edit] B

County County Seat Named for
Bailey Muleshoe Peter James Bailey, a defender of the Alamo
Bandera Bandera Bandera Pass, named in turn for the Spanish word for flag
Bastrop Bastrop Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop (he was actually a commoner named Philip Hendrik Nering Bogel wanted for embezzlement in his native country of the Netherlands), an early Dutch settler who assisted Stephen F. Austin in obtaining land grants.
Baylor Seymour Henry Weidner Baylor, a surgeon in the Texas Rangers during the Mexican-American War
Bee Beeville Barnard Elliott Bee, Sr., a secretary of state of the Republic of Texas
Bell Belton Peter Hansborough Bell, the third governor of Texas
Bexar San Antonio San Antonio de Béjar, the capital of Mexican Texas and present-day San Antonio, Texas, in turn named for Saint Anthony and the Duke of Béjar, brother of the Spanish viceroy, who had died in 1686 defending Budapest from the Ottoman Empire
Blanco Johnson City the Blanco River (Blanco means white in Spanish)
Borden Gail Gail Borden, Jr., businessman, publisher, surveyor, and inventor of condensed milk
Bosque Meridian the Bosque River (Bosque is Spanish for "wooded")
Bowie Boston James Bowie, the legendary knife fighter who died at the Battle of the Alamo
Brazoria Angleton the Brazos River (along with Brazos County)
Brazos Bryan the Brazos River (along with Brazoria County)
Brewster Alpine Henry Percy Brewster, a secretary of war for the Republic of Texas and soldier in the Civil War (his middle name has also been given as "Persy")
Briscoe Silverton Andrew Briscoe, a soldier during the Texas Revolution
Brooks Falfurrias John Abijah Brooks, a Texas Ranger and legislator
Brown Brownwood Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander at the Battle of Velasco
Burleson Caldwell Edward Burleson, a general and statesman of the Texas Revolution
Burnet Burnet David Gouverneur Burnet, the first president of the Republic of Texas

[edit] C

County County Seat Named for
Caldwell Lockhart Mathew Caldwell, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and soldier during the Texas Revolution
Calhoun Port Lavaca John Caldwell Calhoun, the seventh vice president of the United States
Callahan Baird James Hughes Callahan, a soldier during the Texas Revolution
Cameron Brownsville Ewen Cameron, a soldier during the Texas Revolution who was named for Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel
Camp Pittsburg John Lafayette Camp, a Texas state politician
Carson Panhandle Samuel Price Carson, the first secretary of state of the Republic of Texas
Cass Linden Lewis Cass, a senator and future presidential candidate from Michigan who had favored the annexation of Texas to the United States
Castro Dimmitt Henri Castro, a French consul general for the Republic of Texas and founder of a colony in Texas
Chambers Anahuac Thomas Jefferson Chambers, an early lawyer in Texas
Cherokee Rusk the Cherokee Native American tribe
Childress Childress George Campbell Childress, one of the authors of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Clay Henrietta Henry Clay, the Kentucky statesman, presidential candidate, and ninth secretary of state of the United States
Cochran Morton Robert E. Cochran, a defender of the Alamo
Coke Robert Lee Richard Coke, the fifteenth governor of Texas
Coleman Coleman Robert M. Coleman, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto
Collin McKinney Collin McKinney, an author of the Texas Declaration of Independence and its oldest signer (age 70 when he signed it), and early settler in the county
Collingsworth Wellington James Collinsworth, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and first chief justice of the Republic of Texas (spelling differs due to an error in the bill creating the county)
Colorado Columbus the Colorado River
Comal New Braunfels the Comal River; the name means basin or flat dish in Spanish
Comanche Comanche the Comanche Native American tribe
Concho Paint Rock the Concho River
Cooke Gainesville William Gordon Cooke, a soldier during the Texas Revolution
Coryell Gatesville James Coryell, a frontiersman who was killed by Native Americans
Cottle Paducah George Washington Cottle, who died defending the Alamo
Crane Crane William Carey Crane, a past president of Baylor University
Crockett Ozona David Crockett, the legendary frontiersman who died at the Battle of the Alamo
Crosby Crosbyton Stephen Crosby, a land commissioner
Culberson Van Horn David Browning Culberson, a lawyer and soldier in the Civil War

[edit] D

County County Seat Named for
Dallam Dalhart James Wilmer Dallam, a lawyer and newspaper publisher
Dallas Dallas George Mifflin Dallas, the eleventh vice president of the United States
Dawson Lamesa Nicholas Mosby Dawson, a soldier of the Texas Revolution
Deaf Smith Hereford Erastus "Deaf" Smith, a scout during the Texas Revolution
Delta Cooper its triangular shape, much like the Greek letter Delta
Denton Denton John Bunyan Denton, a preacher, lawyer, and soldier killed during a raid on a Native American camp
DeWitt Cuero Green DeWitt, who founded an early colony in Texas
Dickens Dickens J. Dickens, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
Dimmit Carrizo Springs Philip Dimmitt, a major figure in the Texas Revolution
Donley Clarendon Stockton P. Donley, a frontier lawyer
Duval San Diego Burr Harrison DuVal, a soldier in the Texas Revolution who died in the Goliad Massacre

[edit] E

County County Seat Named for
Eastland Eastland William Mosby Eastland, a soldier during the Texas Revolution and the only officer to die as a result of the Black Bean executions
Ector Odessa Mathew Duncan Ector, a Confederate general in the Civil War
Edwards Rocksprings Haden Edwards, an early settler of Nacogdoches, Texas
El Paso El Paso the pass (the English translation) the Rio Grande creates flowing through the mountains on either side of the river
Ellis Waxahachie Richard Ellis, president of the convention that produced the Texas Declaration of Independence
Erath Stephenville George Bernard Erath, an early surveyor and a soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto

[edit] F

County County Seat Named for
Falls Marlin waterfalls on the Brazos River
Fannin Bonham James Walker Fannin, Jr., the commander of the group of Texans killed in the Goliad Massacre during the Texas Revolution
Fayette La Grange Marie-Joseph-Paul-Roch-Yves-Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, the French hero of the American Revolutionary War
Fisher Roby Samuel Rhoads Fisher, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and secretary of the Navy under the Republic of Texas
Floyd Floydada Dolphin Ward Floyd, who died on his thirty-second birthday, March 6, 1836 defending the Alamo
Foard Crowell Robert Levi Foard, an attorney and Civil War soldier
Fort Bend Richmond a blockhouse positioned in a bend of the Brazos River which was the center of life in the future county in early days
Franklin Mount Vernon Probably Benjamin Cromwell Franklin, an early judge and legislator in Texas
Freestone Fairfield the water in the region, which was free of minerals
Frio Pearsall the Frio River (Frio is cold in Spanish).

[edit] G

County County Seat Named for
Gaines Seminole James Gaines, merchant and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Galveston Galveston Bernardo de Gálvez, a Spanish governor of the Louisiana Territory and an ally of the United States during the American Revolution
Garza Post a pioneer Bexar County family
Gillespie Fredericksburg Robert Addison Gillespie, a merchant and soldier in the Mexican-American War
Glasscock Garden City George Washington Glasscock, an early settler of the Austin, Texas area
Goliad Goliad its county seat, which preceded the modern county
Gonzales Gonzales its county seat, which in turn was named for Rafael Gonzales, governor of Coahuila y Tejas.
Gray Pampa Peter W. Gray, a lawyer and soldier in the Civil War
Grayson Sherman Peter Wagener Grayson, an attorney general of the Republic of Texas
Gregg Longview John Gregg, a Confederate war hero who died in the Civil War
Grimes Anderson Jesse Grimes, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and early settler of the future county
Guadalupe Seguin the Guadalupe River

[edit] H

County County Seat Named for
Hale Plainview John C. Hale, a lieutenant killed in action at the Battle of San Jacinto during the Texas Revolution
Hall Memphis Warren DeWitt Clinton Hall, a secretary of war for the Republic of Texas
Hamilton Hamilton James Hamilton Jr., the twenty-eighth governor of South Carolina who gave financial aid to the Republic of Texas
Hansford Spearman John M. Hansford, a Texas state congressman and judge, who was shot and killed by a mob
Hardeman Quanah Bailey Hardeman and Thomas Jones Hardeman, two early Texas politicians and legislators
Hardin Kountze the Hardin family in Liberty County, Texas
Harris Houston John Richardson Harris, an early settler of the future county
Harrison Marshall Jonas Harrison, a lawyer and Texas revolutionary
Hartley Channing Oliver Cromwell Hartley and Rufus K. Hartley, two early Texas legislators and lawmakers
Haskell Haskell Charles Ready Haskell, killed in the Goliad Massacre
Hays San Marcos John Coffee Hays, a leading Texas Ranger and Mexican-American War officer
Hemphill Canadian John Hemphill, a judge and Confederate congressman
Henderson Athens James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas
Hidalgo Edinburg Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the priest who raised the call for Mexico's independence from Spain
Hill Hillsboro George Washington Hill, a secretary of war and secretary of the navy under the Republic of Texas
Hockley Levelland George Washington Hockley, Chief of Staff of the Texas Army during the Texas Revolution, artillery commander during the Battle of San Jacinto, and secretary of war of the Republic of Texas
Hood Granbury John Bell Hood, a Confederate lieutenant general and the commander of Hood's Texas Brigade
Hopkins Sulphur Springs the family of David Hopkins, an early settler in the future county
Houston Crockett Sam Houston, one of the most important figures in the history of Texas, having won Texas its complete independence at the Battle of San Jacinto, as well as being the second and fourth president of the Republic of Texas and seventh governor of Texas
Howard Big Spring Volney Eskine Howard, an U.S. Representative from Texas
Hudspeth Sierra Blanca Claude Benton Hudspeth, a state congressman, rancher, and newspaper publisher
Hunt Greenville Memucan Hunt, Jr., a secretary of the navy under the Republic of Texas
Hutchinson Stinnett Andrew Hutchinson, an early attorney in Texas

[edit] I

County County Seat Named for
Irion Mertzon Robert Anderson Irion, a secretary of state in the Republic of Texas

[edit] J

County County Seat Named for
Jack Jacksboro Patrick Churchill Jack, attorney and early Texas colonist, and his brother William Houston Jack, both veterans of the Texas Revolution
Jackson Edna Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States
Jasper Jasper William Jasper, an American Revolutionary War hero who was killed at Savannah, Georgia in 1779
Jeff Davis Fort Davis Jefferson Davis, the only president of the Confederate States of America
Jefferson Beaumont Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States
Jim Hogg Hebbronville James Stephen Hogg, the twentieth governor of Texas
Jim Wells Alice James Babbage Wells Jr., a powerful politician in southern Texas
Johnson Cleburne Middleton Tate Johnson, a Texas Ranger, soldier, and politician
Jones Anson Anson Jones, the fifth president of the Republic of Texas

[edit] K

County County Seat Named for
Karnes Karnes City Henry Wax Karnes, a soldier in the Texas Revolution
Kaufman Kaufman David Spangler Kaufman, a Jewish Texas state senator and first Texas Jewish member of the United States House of Representatives
Kendall Boerne George Wilkins Kendall, an early journalist and sheep rancher
Kenedy Sarita Mifflin Kenedy, an early rancher in the area
Kent Jayton Andrew Kent, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
Kerr Kerrville James Kerr, an early colonist in Texas and soldier in the Texas Revolution
Kimble Junction George C. Kimbell, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
King Guthrie William Phillip King, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
Kinney Brackettville Henry Lawrence Kinney, an unsuccessful land speculator
Kleberg Kingsville Robert Justus Kleberg, an early German settler and soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto
Knox Benjamin Henry Knox, the first secretary of war of the United States

[edit] L

County County Seat Named for
La Salle Cotulla René Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, the French explorer who traveled through the Texas coast near the future county
Lamar Paris Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, the third president of the Republic of Texas
Lamb Littlefield George A. Lamb, who lost his life at the Battle of San Jacinto
Lampasas Lampasas the Lampasas River; Lampasas is Spanish for lilies
Lavaca Hallettsville the Lavaca River; la vaca is Spanish for the cow
Lee Giddings Robert Edward Lee, the commanding general of the Confederate forces during the Civil War
Leon Centerville uncertain, either Martin De Leon, the founder of Victoria, Texas, or a yellow wolf which lived in the area which was nicknamed "lion"; Leon is Spanish for lion
Liberty Liberty its first (and current) county seat
Limestone Groesbeck the limestone deposits in the region
Lipscomb Lipscomb Abner Smith Lipscomb, an early Texas lawyer, justice of the Texas Supreme Court and secretary of state of the Republic of Texas
Live Oak George West the Texas live oak tree under which the petition for a new county was signed
Llano Llano the Llano River; Llano is Spanish for plains
Loving Mentone Oliver Loving, a cattle rancher and pioneer of the cattle drive who with Charles Goodnight developed the Goodnight-Loving Trail; Loving was mortally wounded by Native Americans while on a cattle drive in the vicinity of the county
Lubbock Lubbock Thomas Saltus Lubbock, a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil War (some sources give Lubbock's first name as "Thompson")
Lynn Tahoka William Lynn (also sometimes spelled Linn), a soldier in the Texas Revolution from Massachusetts who is believed to have died defending the Alamo

[edit] M

County County Seat Named for
Madison Madisonville James Madison, the fourth president of the United States
Marion Jefferson Francis Marion, the American Revolutionary War general whose nickname was the "Swamp Fox"
Martin Stanton Wylie Martin, an early settler in Texas
Mason Mason Fort Mason which was located in the future county
Matagorda Bay City the canebrakes that once lined the Gulf of Mexico coastline; Matagorda is Spanish for thick bush
Maverick Eagle Pass Samuel Augustus Maverick, an early legislator and later rancher near the future county; from his name the word "maverick" entered the English lexicon due to his practice of not branding his cattle as well as his stubborn independence in refusing to do so
McCulloch Brady Benjamin McCulloch, a famous Texas Ranger and Confederate general who was killed at the Battle of Pea Ridge (Battle of Elkhorn Tavern)
McLennan Waco Neil McLennan, an early settler in the future county
McMullen Tilden John McMullen, an Irish founder of a colony in Texas
Medina Hondo the Medina River
Menard Menard Michel Branamour Menard, the founder of Galveston, Texas
Midland Midland its location midway between Fort Worth and El Paso on the Texas and Pacific Railroad
Milam Cameron Benjamin Rush Milam, an early Texas colonizer and soldier in the early Texas Revolution, who was killed in a successful siege of San Antonio, Texas
Mills Goldthwaite John T. Mills, an early judge in Texas
Mitchell Colorado City Asa Mitchell and Eli Mitchell, two early settlers and soldiers in the Texas Revolution
Montague Montague Daniel Montague, a state senator and early surveyor in the future county
Montgomery Conroe Montgomery, Texas, which was the largest settlement in the county when it was formed, in turn named for Andrew Montgomery, the town's founder
Moore Dumas Edwin Ward Moore, the commodore of the Texan navy during the Republic of Texas
Morris Daingerfield uncertain, most likely William Wright Morris, a legislator and planter in the area
Motley Matador Junius William Mottley, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence who was killed at the Battle of San Jacinto (spelling differs due to an error in the bill creating the county)

[edit] N

County County Seat Named for
Nacogdoches Nacogdoches the Nacogdoches Native American tribe
Navarro Corsicana José Antonio Navarro, a leading Tejano participant in the Texas Revolution and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Newton Newton John Newton, a veteran of the Revolutionary War
Nolan Sweetwater Philip Nolan, a mustanger who was killed by Spanish troops in 1801 while on a mission into Texas for uncertain reasons
Nueces Corpus Christi the Nueces River; Nueces is Spanish for nuts (early explorers noted numerous pecan trees along its banks)

[edit] O

County County Seat Named for
Ochiltree Perryton William Beck Ochiltree, an early settler in Texas, judge, and legislator
Oldham Vega Williamson Simpson Oldham, a Confederate legislator in Texas
Orange Orange uncertain; most sources attribute the name to an orange grove planted by early settlers at the mouth of the Sabine River

[edit] P

County County Seat Named for
Palo Pinto Palo Pinto Palo Pinto Creek (Palo Pinto is Spanish for painted stick)
Panola Carthage a Native American word meaning "cotton" (an early cash crop in the county)
Parker Weatherford Isaac Parker, an early legislator in the state (also was the uncle of Cynthia Ann Parker and, thus, the great-uncle of Quanah Parker)
Parmer Farwell Martin Parmer, an early legislator, judge, and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Pecos Fort Stockton the Pecos River
Polk Livingston James Knox Polk, the eleventh president of the United States
Potter Amarillo Robert Potter, an early legislator, secretary of the navy for the Republic of Texas, and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence who was killed in the Regulator-Moderator War
Presidio Marfa Presidio del Norte, an eighteenth-century fort and settlement on the south side of the Rio Grande

[edit] R

County County Seat Named for
Rains Emory Emory Rains, an early legislator and surveyor of the future county
Randall Canyon Horace Randal, a Confederate brigadier general who was killed at the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry (spelling differs due to an error in the bill creating the county)
Reagan Big Lake John Henninger Reagan, postmaster general of the Confederacy, U.S. representative and Senator, and leader of the United States Democratic Party in Texas
Real Leakey Julius Real, a rancher and legislator who was the only Republican in the state senate when the county was formed
Red River Clarksville the Red River, which forms its northern border
Reeves Pecos George Robertson Reeves, a state legislator and colonel in the Confederate army
Refugio Refugio Nuestra Señora del Refugio Mission which was located near the future county
Roberts Miami Oran Milo Roberts, the seventeenth governor of Texas, and John S. Roberts, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Robertson Franklin Sterling Clack Robertson, a founder of a colony in early Texas
Rockwall Rockwall a geological wall of rock running under the county
Runnels Ballinger Hiram George Runnels, the ninth governor of Mississippi and planter in Texas
Rusk Henderson Thomas Jefferson Rusk, a general in the Texas Revolution and leading statesman in the new state

[edit] S

County County Seat Named for
Sabine Hemphill the Sabine River, which forms its eastern border (Sabine is Spanish for cypress)
San Augustine San Augustine uncertain, most likely Saint Augustine of Hippo
San Jacinto Coldspring the Battle of San Jacinto, which won Texas its independence from Mexico
San Patricio Sinton the Mexican Municipality of San Patricio
San Saba San Saba the San Saba River
Schleicher Eldorado Gustav Schleicher, an early engineer and legislator in Texas
Scurry Snyder William Read Scurry, a Texas state legislator and Confederate general who was killed at the Battle of Jenkins' Ferry
Shackelford Albany Jack Shackelford, a soldier of the Texas Revolution
Shelby Center Isaac Shelby, a Revolutionary War soldier from Tennessee and the first Governor of Kentucky
Sherman Stratford Sidney Sherman, a soldier in the Texas Revolution, credited with the slogan "Remember the Alamo!"
Smith Tyler James Smith, a general during the Texas Revolution
Somervell Glen Rose Alexander Somervell, a soldier in the Texas Revolution and leader of the Somervell Expedition, a military strike into Mexico that failed during the days of the Republic of Texas
Starr Rio Grande City James Harper Starr, a treasurer for the Republic of Texas and Confederate official
Stephens Breckenridge Alexander Hamilton Stephens, the only vice-president of the Confederate States of America
Sterling Sterling City W. S. Sterling, an early rancher, buffalo hunter, and Native American fighter
Stonewall Aspermont Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, the famous Confederate General
Sutton Sonora John Schuyler Sutton, a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Texas Revolution and Mexican-American War as well as a Confederate officer in the Civil War
Swisher Tulia James Gibson Swisher, a soldier of the Texas Revolution

[edit] T

County County Seat Named for
Tarrant Fort Worth Edward H. Tarrant, who drove the Native Americans out of the future county, opening it up for settlement (his middle initial may stand for "Hampton")
Taylor Abilene Edward Taylor, George Taylor, and James Taylor, three brothers who died at the Alamo
Terrell Sanderson Alexander Watkins Terrell, attorney, judge, state legislator, diplomat, and Confederate cavalry officer
Terry Brownfield Benjamin Franklin Terry, a Confederate colonel and commander of Terry's Texas Rangers (Eighth Texas Cavalry)
Throckmorton Throckmorton William Edward Throckmorton, an early Collin County settler
Titus Mount Pleasant Andrew Jackson Titus, a state legislator and planter
Tom Green San Angelo Thomas Green, a Confederate brigadier general
Travis Austin William Barret Travis, the commander of the Texian forces at the Alamo
Trinity Groveton the Trinity River
Tyler Woodville John Tyler, the tenth president of the United States

[edit] U

County County Seat Named for
Upshur Gilmer Abel Parker Upshur, the fifteenth secretary of state of the United States who was killed in 1844 when a new Naval gun exploded during a demonstration aboard the USS Princeton on the Potomac (the county seat, Gilmer, was named for Capt. Thomas W. Gilmer, United States Secretary of the Navy who was also killed in the same explosion)
Upton Rankin John Cunningham Upton and his brother William Felton Upton, two lieutenant colonels in the Confederate army; John Upton was killed at the Second Battle of Manassas and William Upton later served Fayette County in the Texas Legislature
Uvalde Uvalde the Cañón de Ugalde, a nearby battlefield where Spanish General Juan de Ugalde won a surprise battle against 300 Apaches in the Sabinal River canyon on January 9, 1790

[edit] V

County County Seat Named for
Val Verde Del Rio the Civil War Battle of Valverde, which took place near present-day Socorro, New Mexico
Van Zandt Canton Isaac Van Zandt, early Texas settler, attorney, Texas legislator, and diplomat, considered by many to be the founder of Marshall, Texas
Victoria Victoria Guadalupe Victoria, the first president of Mexico

[edit] W

County County Seat Named for
Walker Huntsville Samuel Hamilton Walker, a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Mexican-American War
Waller Hempstead Edwin Waller, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the first mayor of Austin, Texas
Ward Monahans Thomas W. Ward, a commissioner for the General Land Office of Texas and mayor of Austin, Texas
Washington Brenham George Washington, the first president of the United States
Webb Laredo James Webb, who served as secretary of the Treasury, secretary of State, and Attorney General of the Republic of Texas, and later United States District Judge in the State of Texas
Wharton Wharton William Harris Wharton and John Austin Wharton, father and son and leaders in revolutionary Texas
Wheeler Wheeler Royal Tyler Wheeler, the second Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court
Wichita Wichita Falls the Wichita Native American tribe
Wilbarger Vernon Josiah Pugh Wilbarger and Mathias Wilbarger, two brothers and early settlers; Josiah Wilbarger survived being scalped by a group of Comanches
Willacy Raymondville John G. Willacy, a farmer, real estate developer, and Texas state senator who was the author of the bill that established the county
Williamson Georgetown Robert McAlpin Williamson, a leader and veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto
Wilson Floresville James Charles Wilson, a Texas state senator, member of the ill-fated Somervell Expedition into Mexico, and Methodist minister
Winkler Kermit Clinton McKamy Winkler, a judge and Confederate colonel
Wise Decatur Henry Alexander Wise, the future thirty-eighth governor of Virginia who supported the annexation of Texas while a member of the United States House of Representatives
Wood Quitman George Tyler Wood, the second Governor of Texas (coincidentally, the county is located in heavily timbered East Texas)

[edit] Y

County County Seat Named for
Yoakum Plains Henderson King Yoakum, soldier, attorney, and Texas historian
Young Graham William Cocke Young, early Texas settler, attorney, sheriff, and United States Marshal who also commanded Texas regiments in both the Mexican-American War and the Civil War

[edit] Z

County County Seat Named for
Zapata Zapata Colonel Jose Antonio de Zapata, a local rancher and rebel against the Mexican government
Zavala Crystal City Lorenzo de Zavala, a Mexican rancher, politician, and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence who served as the first Vice-President of the Republic of Texas

[edit] Sources

Contents

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Top of page — See also — External links
v • d • e
Lists of etymologies of United States county* names
* Parishes in Louisiana; boroughs and census areas in Alaska.