The names of Michigan's 83 counties reflect the state's Native American, French, British and early American heritage.
Themes exist for the names of some counties.
Antrim, Clare, Emmet, Roscommon and Wexford. Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, author and Indian agent, mixed words and syllables from Native American, Arabian and Latin languages to make up Native American-sounding words for some of the 28 counties set off in 1840. They include Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Arenac, Iosco, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Oscoda and Tuscola. The earliest counties were organized by the territorial government as areas became settled. The first county was Wayne.