Most People Don’t Know How These 12 New Jersey Counties Got Their Names
By Kristen|Published April 18, 2018
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Kristen
Author
Kristen is a writer, editor, and social media maven who loves her state. Born and raised in New Jersey, sharing all it has to offer is her passion. After attending Montclair State University, she continued her education online, obtaining certifications in social media management.
Many Garden State residents know that New Jersey was named after the province of Jersey, the largest of the Channel Islands. However, the origins of our county names are not as commonly known. The majority of counties named before the American Revolution reflect the Dutch and English settlements in the area at the time. Burlington, Essex, Gloucester, Middlesex, Somerset and Sussex are all derived from British towns, cities, and counties; Monmouth County was named for Monmouthshire, Wales, Hunterdon County was named for Hunterston, Scotland, and Bergen County was named for Bergen, North Holland. Counties named after the American Revolution are more likely to be named for historic figures. Following, I share some fun facts and gorgeous shots snapped in each county listed!
1. Atlantic County (Photo taken at sunrise in Atlantic City.)
Camden County was named after Charles Pratt, Earl of Camden. He was a member of the English Parliament who opposed England's taxation of the colonists. The county was established in 1844.
Cumberland County was established from parts of Salem County in 1748. The county was named after Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. He was a hero to the English but hated among the Scots for the brutal tactics he used during the Battle of Culloden.
5. Hudson County (Photo of Jersey City at sunrise.)
Hudson County was named after explorer Henry Hudson who discovered the area in 1609. He landed in what is now Hoboken and then sailed up the (now) Hudson River. New Jersey's smallest yet most densely populated county, Hudson County was established in 1840 from parts of Bergen County.
6. Mercer County (Photo taken at Trinity Church, Princeton.)
Mercer County was established in 1838 from parts of Burlington, Hunterdon, Somerset, and Middlesex Counties. The county was named after Continental Army General, Hugh Mercer, a Revolutionary War Hero that died during the Battle Of Princeton.
Morris County was named after Colonial Governor Lewis Morris. He served from 1738-1746 and was governor at the time Morris County was established (1739 from portions of Hunterdon County).
Passaic County got its name from the Lenape word for Valley, "Pasaeck." Originally set to be two counties, it was established in 1837 from parts of Bergen and Essex Counties.
10. Salem County (Photo of the Old Salem Courthouse.)
Union County was New Jersey's 21st and final county. It was established in 1857, after a hostile break from Essex County and named after the Union of the United States.
12. Warren County (Photo of the Delaware Water Gap.)
Warren County was named after General Joseph Warren, a Revolutionary War hero who died in the Battle of Bunker Hill. The county was established in 1825 from parts of Sussex County.
If you’d like to learn more about the history of New Jersey, check out the short video below by Kean University:
Which county name do you think had the most fascinating origin story? I’m all about Salem County! For some New Jersey town name history, click here.
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