County County Seat Population
====== =========== ==========
Anderson County Palestine 55,109
Andrews County Andrews 13,004
Angelina County Lufkin 80,130
Aransas County Rockport 22,497
Archer County Archer City 8,854
Armstrong County Claude 2,148
Atascosa County Jourdanton 38,628
Austin County Bellville 23,590
Bailey County Muleshoe 6,594
Bandera County Bandera 17,645
Bastrop County Bastrop 57,733
Baylor County Seymour 4,093
Bee County Beeville 32,359
Bell County Belton 237,974
Bexar County San Antonio 1,392,931
Blanco County Johnson City 8,418
Borden County Gail 729
Bosque County Meridian 17,204
Bowie County New Boston 89,306
Brazoria County Angleton 241,767
Brazos County Bryan 152,415
Brewster County Alpine 8,866
Briscoe County Silverton 1,790
Brooks County Falfurrias 7,976
Brown County Brownwood 37,674
Burleson County Caldwell 16,470
Burnet County Burnet 34,147
Caldwell County Lockhart 32,194
Calhoun County Fort Lavaca 20,647
Callahan County Baird 12,905
Cameron County Brownsville 335,227
Camp County Pittsburg 11,549
Carson County Panhandle 6,516
Cass County Linden 30,438
Castro County Dimmitt 8,285
Chambers County Anahuac 26,031
Cherokee County Rusk 46,659
Childress County Childress 7,688
Clay County Henrietta 11,006
Cochran County Morton 3,730
Coke County Robert Lee 3,864
Coleman County Coleman 9,235
Collin County McKinney 491,675
Collingsworth County Wellington 3,206
Colorado County Columbus 20,390
Comal County New Braunfels 78,021
Comanche County Comanche 14,026
Concho County Paint Rock 3,966
Cooke County Gainesville 36,363
Coryell County Gatesville 74,978
Cottle County Paducah 1,904
Crane County Crane 3,996
Crockett County Ozona 4,099
Crosby County Crosbyton 7,072
Culberson County Van Horn 2,975
Dallam County Dalhart 6,222
Dallas County Dallas 2,218,899
Dawson County Lamesa 14,985
Deaf Smith County Hereford 18,561
Delta County Cooper 5,327
Denton County Denton 432,976
DeWitt County Cuero 20,013
Dickens County Dickens 2,762
Dimmit County Carrizo Springs 10,248
Donley County Clarendon 3,828
Duval County San Diego 13,120
Eastland County Eastland 18,297
Ector County Odessa 121,123
Edwards County Rocksprings 2,162
El Paso County El Paso 679,622
Ellis County Waxahachie 111,360
Erath County Stephenville 33,001
Falls County Marlin 18,576
Fannin County Bonham 31,242
Fayette County La Grange 21,804
Fisher County Roby 4,344
Floyd County Floydada 7,771
Foard County Crowell 1,622
Fort Bend County Richmond 354,452
Franklin County Mt. Vernon 9,458
Freestone County Fairfield 17,867
Frio County Pearsall 16,252
Gaines County Seminole 14,467
Galveston County Galveston 250,158
Garza County Post 4,872
Gillespie County Fredericksburg 20,814
Glasscock County Garden City 1,406
Goliad County Goliad 6,928
Gonzales County Gonzales 18,628
Gray County Pampa 22,744
Grayson County Sherman 110,595
Gregg County Longview 111,379
Grimes County Anderson 23,552
Guadalupe County Seguin 89,023
Hale County Plainview 36,602
Hall County Memphis 3,782
Hamilton County Hamilton 8,229
Hansford County Spearman 5,369
Hardeman County Quanah 4,724
Hardin County Kountze 48,073
Harris County Houston 3,400,578
Harrison County Marshall 62,110
Hartley County Channing 5,537
Haskell County Haskell 6,093
Hays County San Marcos 97,589
Hemphill County Canadian 3,351
Henderson County Athens 73,277
Hidalgo County Edinburg 569,463
Hill County Hillsboro 32,321
Hockley County Levelland 22,716
Hood County Granbury 41,100
Hopkins County Sulphur Springs 31,960
Houston County Crockett 23,185
Howard County Big Spring 33,627
Hudspeth County Sierra Blanca 3,344
Hunt County Greenville 76,596
Hutchinson County Skinnett 23,857
Irion County Mertzon 1,771
Jack County Jacksboro 8,763
Jackson County Edna 14,391
Jasper County Jasper 35,604
Jeff Davis County Fort Davis 2,207
Jefferson County Beaumont 252,051
Jim Hogg County Hebbronville 5,281
Jim Wells County Alice 39,326
Johnson County Cleburne 126,811
Jones County Anson 20,785
Karnes County Karnes City 15,446
Kaufman County Kaufman 71,313
Kendall County Boerne 23,743
Kenedy County Sarita 414
Kent County Jayton 859
Kerr County Kerrville 43,653
Kimble County Junction 4,468
King County Guthrie 356
Kinney County Bracketville 3,379
Kleberg County Kingsville 31,549
Knox County Benjamin 4,253
La Salle County Cotulla 5,866
Lamar County Paris 48,499
Lamb County Littlefield 14,709
Lampasas County Lampasas 17,762
Lavaca County Hallettsville 19,210
Lee County Giddings 15,657
Leon County Centerville 15,335
Liberty County Liberty 70,154
Limestone County Groesbeck 22,051
Lipscomb County Lipscomb 3,057
Live Oak County George West 12,309
Llano County Llano 17,044
Loving County Mentone 67
Lubbock County Lubbock 242,628
Lynn County Tahoka 6,550
Madison County Madisonville 12,940
Marion County Jefferson 10,941
Martin County Stanton 4,746
Mason County Mason 3,738
Matagorda County Bay City 37,957
Maverick County Eagle Pass 47,297
McCulloch County Brady 8,205
McLennan County Waco 213,517
McMullen County Tilden 851
Medina County Hondo 39,304
Menard County Menard 2,360
Midland County Midland 116,009
Milam County Cameron 24,238
Mills County Goldthwaite 5,151
Mitchell County Colorado City 9,698
Montague County Montague 19,117
Montgomery County Conroe 293,768
Moore County Dumas 20,121
Morris County Daingerfield 13,048
Motley County Matador 1,426
Nacogdoches County Nacogdoches 59,203
Navarro County Corsicana 45,124
Newton County Newton 15,072
Nolan County Sweetwater 15,802
Nueces County Corpus Christi 313,645
Ochiltree County Perryton 9,006
Oldham County Vega 2,185
Orange County Orange 84,966
Palo Pinto County Palo Pinto 27,026
Panola County Carthage 22,756
Parker County Weatherford 88,495
Parmer County Farwell 10,016
Pecos County Fort Stockton 16,809
Polk County Livingston 41,133
Potter County Amarillo 113,546
Presidio County Marfa 7,304
Rains County Emory 9,139
Randall County Canyon 104,312
Reagan County Big Lake 3,326
Real County Leakey 3,047
Red River County Clarksville 14,314
Reeves County Pecos 13,137
Refugio County Refugio 7,828
Roberts County Miami 887
Robertson County Franklin 16,000
Rockwall County Rockwall 43,080
Runnels County Ballinger 11,495
Rusk County Henderson 47,372
Sabine County Hemphill 10,469
San Augustine County San Augustine 8,946
San Jacinto County Coldspring 22,246
San Patricio County Sinton 67,138
San Saba County San Saba 6,186
Schleicher County Eldorado 2,935
Scurry County Snyder 16,361
Shackelford County Albany 3,302
Shelby County Center 25,224
Sherman County Stratford 3,186
Smith County Tyler 174,706
Somervell County Glen Rose 6,809
Starr County Rio Grande City 53,597
Stephens County Breckenridge 9,674
Sterling County Sterling City 1,393
Stonewall County Aspermont 1,693
Sutton County Sonora 4,077
Swisher County Tulia 8,378
Tarrant County Fort Worth 1,446,219
Taylor County Abilene 126,555
Terrell County Sanderson 1,081
Terry County Brownfield 12,761
Throckmorton County Throckmorton 1,850
Titus County Mt. Pleasant 28,118
Tom Green County San Angelo 104,010
Travis County Austin 812,280
Trinity County Groveton 13,779
Tyler County Woodville 20,871
Upshur County Gilmer 35,291
Upton County Rankin 3,404
Uvalde County Uvalde 25,926
Val Verde County Del Rio 44,856
Van Zandt County Canton 48,140
Victoria County Victoria 84,088
Walker County Huntsville 61,758
Waller County Hempstead 32,663
Ward County Monahans 10,909
Washington County Brenham 30,373
Webb County Laredo 193,117
Wharton County Wharton 41,188
Wheeler County Wheeler 5,284
Wichita County Wichita Falls 131,664
Wilbarger County Vernon 14,676
Willacy County Raymondville 20,082
Williamson County Georgetown 249,967
Wilson County Floresville 32,408
Winkler County Kermit 7,173
Wise County Decatur 48,793
Wood County Quitman 36,752
Yoakum County Plains 7,322
Young County Graham 17,943
Zapata County Zapata 12,182
Zavala County Crystal City 11,600
SEARCH FOR YOUR SURNAMES IN OUR GENEALOGY DATA LIBRARY:
HOW WERE TEXAS COUNTIES NAMED?
Anderson County Kenneth Lewis Anderson (18051845), the last vice president of the Republic of Texas
Andrews County Richard Andrews (?1835), the first Texan soldier to die in the Texas Revolution
Angelina County A Hainai Native American woman who assisted early Spanish missionaries and was named
Angelina by them
Aransas County The Rio Nuestra Senora de Aranzazu, a Spanish outpost in early Texas
Archer County Branch Tanner Archer, a commissioner for the Republic of Texas
Armstrong County One of several Texas pioneer families, although it is not certain which one
Atascosa County The Spanish word for "boggy"
Austin County Stephen F. Austin (17931836), known as the Father of Texas
Bailey County Peter James Bailey, a defender of the Alamo
Bandera County Bandera Pass, named in turn for the Spanish word for "flag"
Bastrop County Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, Dutch settler who assisted Stephen F. Austin
in obtaining land grants
Baylor County Henry Weidner Baylor, a surgeon in the Texas Rangers during the Mexican-American War
Bee County Barnard Elliott Bee, Sr. (17871853), a secretary of state of the Republic of Texas
Bell County Peter Hansborough Bell, the third governor of Texas (18491853)
Bexar County San Antonio de Bιjar, the capital of Mexican Texas, in turn named for Saint Anthony
and the municipality of Bιjar in Spain
Blanco County The Blanco River (Blanco means "white" in Spanish)
Borden County Gail Borden, Jr. (18011874), businessman, publisher, surveyor, and inventor of condensed milk
Bosque County The Bosque River (Bosque is Spanish for "wooded")
Bowie County James Bowie (17961836), the legendary knife fighter who died at the Battle of the Alamo
Brazoria County The Brazos River
Brazos County The Brazos River
Brewster County Henry Percy Brewster (18161884), a secretary of war for the Republic of Texas and soldier
in the Civil War
Briscoe County Andrew Briscoe (18101849), a soldier during the Texas Revolution
Brooks County John Abijah Brooks, a Texas Ranger and legislator
Brown County Henry Stevenson Brown, a commander at the Battle of Velasco
Burleson County Edward Burleson (17981851), a general and statesman of the Texas Revolution
Burnet County David Gouverneur Burnet, the first president of the Republic of Texas (1836)
Caldwell County Mathew Caldwell, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and soldier during the
Texas Revolution
Calhoun County John Caldwell Calhoun, the seventh vice president of the United States (18251832)
Callahan County James Hughes Callahan, a soldier during the Texas Revolution
Cameron County Ewen Cameron, a soldier during the Texas Revolution
Camp County John Lafayette Camp (18281891), a Texas state politician
Carson County Samuel Price Carson, the first secretary of state of the Republic of Texas (18361838)
Cass County Lewis Cass (17821866), a senator from Michigan who had favored the annexation of Texas to
the United States
Castro County Henri Castro (17861865), a French consul general for the Republic of Texas and founder of
a colony in Texas
Chambers County Thomas Jefferson Chambers, an early lawyer in Texas
Cherokee County The Cherokee Native American tribe
Childress County George Campbell Childress (18041841), one of the authors of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Clay County Henry Clay, Kentucky statesman and ninth secretary of state of the United States (18251829)
Cochran County Robert E. Cochran (18101836), a defender of the Alamo
Coke County Richard Coke, the fifteenth governor of Texas (18741876)
Coleman County Robert M. Coleman, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and soldier at the
Battle of San Jacinto
Collin County Collin McKinney (17661861), an author of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Collingsworth County 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 County The Colorado River
Comal County The Comal River
Comanche County The Comanche Native American tribe
Concho County The Concho River
Cooke County William Gordon Cooke, a soldier during the Texas Revolution
Coryell County James Coryell, a frontiersman who was killed by Native Americans
Cottle County George Washington Cottle, who died defending the Alamo
Crane County William Carey Crane, a president of Baylor University
Crockett County David Crockett (17861836), the legendary frontiersman who died at the Battle of the Alamo
Crosby County Stephen Crosby, a land commissioner
Culberson County David Browning Culberson, a lawyer and soldier in the Civil War
Dallam County James Wilmer Dallam, a lawyer and newspaper publisher
Dallas County George Mifflin Dallas, the eleventh vice president of the United States (18451849)
Dawson County Nicholas Mosby Dawson, a soldier of the Texas Revolution
Deaf Smith County Erastus "Deaf" Smith (17871837), a scout during the Texas Revolution
Delta County It's Triangular shape, much like the Greek letter Delta
Denton County John Bunyan Denton (18061841), a preacher, lawyer, and soldier killed during a raid on a Native
American camp
DeWitt County Green DeWitt, who founded an early colony in Texas
Dickens County J. Dickens, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
Dimmit County Philip Dimmitt, a major figure in the Texas Revolution
Donley County Stockton P. Donley, a frontier lawyer
Duval County Burr Harrison DuVal (18091836), a soldier in the Texas Revolution who died in the
Goliad Massacre
Eastland County William Mosby Eastland, a soldier during the Texas Revolution
Ector County Mathew Ector (18221879), a Confederate general
Edwards County Haden Edwards (17711849), an early settler of Nacogdoches
El Paso County The pass the Rio Grande creates flowing through the mountains on either side of
the river
Ellis County Richard Ellis (17811846), president of the convention that produced the Texas
Declaration of Independence
Erath County George Bernard Erath, an early surveyor and a soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto
Falls County The waterfalls on the Brazos River
Fannin County James Walker Fannin, Jr. (18051836), the commander of the group of Texans killed
in the Goliad Massacre
Fayette County Marquis de La Fayette (17571834), the French hero of the American Revolutionary War
Fisher County Samuel Rhoads Fisher (17941839), a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
and secretary of the Navy under the Republic of Texas
Floyd County Dolphin Ward Floyd, who died defending the Alamo
Foard County Robert Levi Foard, an attorney and Civil War soldier
Fort Bend County A blockhouse positioned in a bend of the Brazos River
Franklin County Benjamin Cromwell Franklin (18051873), an early judge and legislator in Texas
Freestone County A type of peach[7]
Frio County The Frio River (Frio is "cold" in Spanish)
Gaines County James Gaines, merchant and signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Galveston County Bernardo de Gαlvez, a Spanish governor of the Louisiana Territory (17771785)
Garza County A pioneer Bexar County family
Gillespie County Robert Addison Gillespie, a merchant and soldier in the Mexican-American War
Glasscock County George Washington Glasscock (18101868), an early settler of the Austin, Texas area
Goliad County Its county seat, which preceded the modern county
Gonzales County Its county seat, which preceded the modern county
Gray County Peter W. Gray (18191874), a lawyer and soldier in the Civil War
Grayson County Peter Wagener Grayson, an attorney general of the Republic of Texas
Gregg County John Gregg (18281864), a Confederate war hero
Grimes County Jesse Grimes (17881866), a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and early
settler of the future county
Guadalupe County The Guadalupe River
Hale County John C. Hale, a lieutenant killed in action at the Battle of San Jacinto
Hall County Warren DeWitt Clinton Hall, a secretary of war for the Republic of Texas (1836)
Hamilton County James Hamilton Jr., governor of South Carolina (18301832) who gave financial aid to the
Republic of Texas
Hansford County John M. Hansford, a Texas state congressman and judge
Hardeman County Bailey Hardeman and Thomas Jones Hardeman, two early Texas politicians and legislators
Hardin County The Hardin family in Liberty County
Harris County John Richardson Harris, an early settler of the future county; Named Harrisburg County
until 1839
Harrison County Jonas Harrison, a lawyer and Texas revolutionary
Hartley County Oliver C. Hartley (18231859) and Rufus K. Hartley, two early Texas legislators and lawmakers
Haskell County Charles Ready Haskell, killed in the Goliad Massacre
Hays County John Coffee Hays (18171883), a leading Texas Ranger and Mexican-American War officer
Hemphill County John Hemphill (18031862), a judge and Confederate congressman
Henderson County James Pinckney Henderson, the first governor of Texas (18461847)
Hidalgo County Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (17531811), the priest who raised the call for Mexico's independence
from Spain
Hill County George Washington Hill, a secretary of war and secretary of the navy under the Republic of Texas
Hockley County George Washington Hockley (18021854), Chief of Staff of the Texas Army during the Texas
Revolution and secretary of war of the Republic of Texas
Hood County John Bell Hood (18311879), a Confederate lieutenant general and the commander of Hood's
Texas Brigade
Hopkins County The family of David Hopkins, an early settler in the future county
Houston County Sam Houston (17931863), the second and fourth president of the Republic of Texas and seventh
governor of Texas
Howard County Volney Eskine Howard, U.S. Representative from Texas (18491853)
Hudspeth County Claude Benton Hudspeth, a state congressman (19191931), rancher, and newspaper publisher
Hunt County Memucan Hunt (17291808), a secretary of the navy under the Republic of Texas
Hutchinson County Andrew Hutchinson, an early attorney in Texas
Irion County Robert Anderson Irion (18041861), a secretary of state in the Republic of Texas
Jack County Brothers Patrick Churchill Jack and William Houston Jack, colonists and veterans of the Texas
Revolution
Jackson County Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States (18291837)
Jasper County William Jasper (17501779), an American Revolutionary War hero
Jeff Davis County Jefferson Davis, the only president of the Confederate States of America (18611865)
Jefferson County Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States (18011809)
Jim Hogg County James Stephen Hogg, the twentieth governor of Texas (18911895)
Jim Wells County James Babbage Wells Jr., a powerful politician in southern Texas
Johnson County Middleton Tate Johnson, a Texas Ranger, soldier, and politician
Jones County Anson Jones, the fifth president of the Republic of Texas (18441846)
Karnes County Henry Wax Karnes (18121840), a soldier in the Texas Revolution
Kaufman County David Spangler Kaufman, a Jewish Texas state senator and first Texas Jewish member of the United
States House of Representatives
Kendall County George Wilkins Kendall, an early journalist and sheep rancher
Kenedy County Mifflin Kenedy, an early rancher in the area
Kent County Andrew Kent, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
Kerr County James Kerr (17901850), an early colonist in Texas and soldier in the Texas Revolution
Kimble County George C. Kimbell, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
King County William Phillip King, who died at the Battle of the Alamo
Kinney County Henry Lawrence Kinney, an unsuccessful land speculator
Kleberg County Robert Justus Kleberg (18031888), an early German settler and soldier at the Battle of San Jacinto
Knox County Henry Knox, the first secretary of war of the United States (17851794)
La Salle County Renι Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (16431687), the French explorer who traveled through Texas
Lamar County Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar, the third president of the Republic of Texas (18381842)
Lamb County George A. Lamb, who died at the Battle of San Jacinto
Lampasas County The Lampasas River (Lampasas is Spanish for "lilies")
Lavaca County The Lavaca River (la vaca is Spanish for "cow")
Lee County Robert Edward Lee (18071870), the commanding general of the Confederate forces during the Civil War
Leon County A yellow wolf which lived in the area and was nicknamed "lion" (leon in Spanish)
Liberty County Its county seat, which preceded the modern county
Limestone County The limestone deposits in the region
Lipscomb County Abner Smith Lipscomb, justice of the Texas Supreme Court (18461856) and secretary of state of the
Republic of Texas (1840)
Live Oak County The Texas live oak tree under which the petition for a new county was signed
Llano County The Llano River (Llano is Spanish for "plains")
Loving County Oliver Loving (18121867), a cattle rancher and pioneer of the cattle drive who with Charles Goodnight
developed the Goodnight-Loving Trail
Lubbock County Thomas Saltus Lubbock (18171862), a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Confederate army
Lynn County William Lynn, a soldier in the Texas Revolution from Massachusetts who is believed to have died
defending the Alamo
McCulloch County Benjamin McCulloch (18111862), a famous Texas Ranger and Confederate general
McLennan County Neil McLennan, an early settler in the future county
McMullen County John McMullen (18321883), an Irish founder of a colony in Texas
Madison County James Madison, the fourth president of the United States (18091817)
Marion County Francis Marion (17321795), American Revolutionary War general
Martin County Wylie Martin, an early settler in Texas
Mason County Fort Mason which was located in the future county
Matagorda County The canebrakes which once grew along the coast (Matagorda is Spanish for "thick bush")
Maverick County Samuel Augustus Maverick (18031870), an early legislator and rancher near the future county
Medina County The Medina River
Menard County Michel Branamour Menard, the founder of Galveston, Texas
Midland County The fact that the county is located halfway between Fort Worth and El Paso on the Texas and Pacific Railway.
Milam County Benjamin Rush Milam (17881835), an early Texas colonizer and soldier in the Texas Revolution
Mills County John T. Mills (18171871), an early judge in Texas
Mitchell County Asa Mitchell and Eli Mitchell, two early settlers and soldiers in the Texas Revolution
Montague County Daniel Montague, a state senator and early surveyor in the future county
Montgomery County City of Montgomery, which in turn was named for Andrew Montgomery
Moore County Edwin Ward Moore (18101865), the commodore of the Texan navy during the Republic of Texas
Morris County William Wright Morris, a legislator and planter in the area
Motley County Junius William Mottley, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Nacogdoches County The Nacogdoches Native American tribe
Navarro County Josι Antonio Navarro (17951871), a leading Tejano participant in the Texas Revolution and
signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Newton County John Newton (17551780), a veteran of the Revolutionary War
Nolan County Philip Nolan (17711801), a mustanger who was killed by Spanish troops while on a mission into Texas
Nueces County The Nueces River (Nueces is Spanish for "nuts")
Ochiltree County William Beck Ochiltree (18111867), an early settler, judge, and legislator
Oldham County Williamson Simpson Oldham, a Confederate legislator in Texas
Orange County The orange grove planted by early settlers at the mouth of the Sabine River
Palo Pinto County The Palo Pinto Creek (Palo Pinto is Spanish for "painted stick")
Panola County A Native American word for cotton.
Parker County Isaac Parker (18381896), an early legislator in the state
Parmer County Martin Parmer (17781850), an early legislator, judge, and signer of the Texas Declaration of
Independence
Pecos County The Pecos River
Polk County James Knox Polk, the eleventh president of the United States (18451849)
Potter County Robert Potter (18001842), secretary of the navy for the Republic of Texas, and signer of the
Texas Declaration of Independence
Presidio County Presidio del Norte, an eighteenth-century fort and settlement on the south side of the Rio Grande
Rains County Emory Rains (18001878), an early legislator and surveyor of the future county
Randall County Horace Randal, a Confederate brigadier general
Reagan County John Henninger Reagan (18181905), postmaster general of the Confederacy and leader of the United
States Democratic Party in Texas
Real County Julius Real, a rancher and legislator
Red River County Red River, which forms its northern border
Reeves County George Robertson Reeves, a state legislator and colonel in the Confederate army
Refugio County Nuestra Seρora del Refugio Mission which was located near the future county
Roberts County Oran Milo Roberts (18791883), the seventeenth governor of Texas, and John S. Roberts, a signer
of the Texas Declaration of Independence
Robertson County Sterling Clack Robertson, a founder of a colony in early Texas
Rockwall County Its county seat of Rockwall as well as a geological wall of rock running under the county
Runnels County Hiram Runnels, the ninth governor of Mississippi (18331835) and planter in Texas
Rusk County Thomas Jefferson Rusk (18031857), a general in the Texas Revolution
Sabine County The Sabine River, which forms its eastern border (Sabine is Spanish for "cypress")
San Augustine County Saint Augustine of Hippo (354430)
San Jacinto County The Battle of San Jacinto, which won Texas its independence from Mexico
San Patricio County The Mexican Municipality of San Patricio
San Saba County The San Saba River
Schleicher County Gustav Schleicher, an early engineer and legislator in Texas
Scurry County William Read Scurry (18211864), a Texas state legislator and Confederate general
Shackelford County Jack Shackelford, a soldier of the Texas Revolution
Shelby County Isaac Shelby, a Revolutionary War soldier from Tennessee and governor of Kentucky
(17921796) (18121816)
Sherman County Sidney Sherman (18051873), a soldier in the Texas Revolution
Smith County James Smith, a general during the Texas Revolution
Somervell County Alexander Somervell, a soldier in the Texas Revolution and leader of the Somervell Expedition
Starr County James Harper Starr (18091890), a treasurer for the Republic of Texas and Confederate official
Stephens County Alexander Hamilton Stephens, the only vice-president of the Confederate States of America (18611865)
Sterling County W. S. Sterling, an early rancher, buffalo hunter, and Native American fighter
Stonewall County Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson (18241863), the famous Confederate General
Sutton County John Schuyler Sutton, a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Texas Revolution and Mexican-American War
Swisher County James Gibson Swisher, a soldier of the Texas Revolution
Tarrant County Edward H. Tarrant, a general who drove the Native Americans out of the future county
Taylor County Edward Taylor (18121836), George Taylor (18161836), and James Taylor (18141836), three brothers who
died at the Alamo
Terrell County Alexander Watkins Terrell, attorney, judge, state legislator, diplomat, and Confederate cavalry officer
Terry County Benjamin Franklin Terry, a Confederate colonel and commander of Terry's Texas Rangers
Throckmorton County William Edward Throckmorton, an early Collin County settler
Titus County Andrew Jackson Titus, a state legislator and planter
Tom Green County Thomas Green (18141864), a Confederate brigadier general
Travis County William Barret Travis (18091831), the commander of the Texan forces at the Alamo
Trinity County The Trinity River
Tyler County John Tyler, the tenth president of the United States (18411845)
Upshur County Abel Parker Upshur, the fifteenth secretary of state of the United States (18431844)
Upton County Brothers John Cunningham Upton and William Felton Upton, both lieutenant colonels in the
Confederate army
Uvalde County The Caρσn de Ugalde, a nearby battlefield where Spanish General Juan de Ugalde won a surprise battle
against 300 Apaches
Val Verde County The Civil War Battle of Val Verde(Val Verde is Spanish for "green valley")
Van Zandt County Isaac Van Zandt (18131847), early Texas settler, attorney, Texas legislator, and diplomat
Victoria County Guadalupe Victoria, the first president of Mexico (18241829)
Walker County Samuel Hamilton Walker (18151847), a Texas Ranger and soldier in the Mexican-American War
Waller County Edwin Waller (18001881), a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the first
mayor of Austin, Texas
Ward County Thomas William Ward, a commissioner for the General Land Office of Texas and mayor of Austin, Texas
Washington County George Washington, the first president of the United States (17891797)
Webb County James Webb, who served as secretary of the Treasury, secretary of State, and Attorney General of
the Republic of Texas
Wharton County William Harris Wharton (18021839) and John Austin Wharton (18281865), brothers and leaders
in revolutionary Texas
Wheeler County Royal Tyler Wheeler, the second Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court
Wichita County The Wichita Native American tribe
Wilbarger County Josiah Pugh Wilbarger (18011845) and Mathias Wilbarger, brothers and early settlers
Willacy County John G. Willacy, Texas state senator who was the author of the bill that established the county
Williamson County Robert McAlpin Williamson, a leader and veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto
Wilson County James Charles Wilson, a Texas state senator (18511853)
Winkler County Clinton McKamy Winkler, a judge and Confederate colonel
Wise County Henry Alexander Wise, the future thirty-eighth governor of Virginia (18561860) who supported the
annexation of Texas
Wood County George Tyler Wood, the second governor of Texas (18471849)
Yoakum County Henderson King Yoakum (18101856), soldier, attorney, and Texas historian
Young County William Cocke Young, early Texas settler, attorney, sheriff, and United States Marshal
Zapata County Antonio Zapata, a local rancher and rebel against the Mexican government
Zavala County Lorenzo de Zavala (17881836), signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and the first
Vice-President of the Republic of Texas
Defunct counties
There have been at least thirty-two counties established by Texas law that no longer exist. These fall into five categories:
judicial counties; counties established by the Constitutional Convention of 1868-69
Buchel County formed in 1887 from Presidio County. Annexed in 1897 to Brewster County.
Dawson County (defunct) formed in 1858 in what is now Kinney County and Uvalde County and Abolished in 1866. Not to be
confounded with Dawson County
Encinal County Formed in 1856. Abolished in 1899 and annexed to Webb County.
Foley County formed in 1887 from Presidio County. Annexed in 1897 to Brewster County.
Greer County formed in 1860. Separated from Texas by U.S. Supreme Court ruling in United States v.
State of Texas, 162 U.S. 1 (1896).
Perdido County discovered in 1824 and misplaced in the upheavals of the 1840's. Perdido was reportedly abolished in 1858
and again in 1871. Records of annexation to Dawson County are also inconclusive.
Santa Fe County formed in 1848 from lands ceded by Mexico. It included the area of New Mexico east of the Rio
Grande. Abolished under the Compromise of 1850.
Wegefarth County formed in 1873 in the Texas Panhandle and abolished in 1876.
Worth County formed in 1850 from part of Santa Fe County. Abolished under the Compromise of 1850.
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