The Pensacola journal., 1914-12-20
HOW FLORIDA
COUNTIES GOT
THEIR NAMES
THEY CAME FROM MANY
SOURCES - INDIAN, SPANISH,
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN -
MANY TRACED BACK TO AN
GENT ORIGINS.

The counties of Florida were named
largely for illustrious American SOL
diers and statesmen, particularly of
the revolutionary and republic forming
periods. The stirring deeds Of these
patriots were still fresh in the minds
Of the county farmers who took this
method Of keeping their memory alive.
Several counties have sonorous Indian
names, while others show the inf1u-
ence of the early Spanish occupation.
The origin and significance of
these county names have been traced
'oy the United States geological sur
vey, with the assistance Of history
students within the state.
Nassau county had its name trans
ferred from the Duchy of Nassau in
Germany. A county in New York is
similarly called.
Duval county was named in honor
Of William P. Duval, territorial gov
ernor in 1S22-1S34.
Baker owes its name to James M
Baker, formerly Judge of the fourth
judicial district of Florida.
Bradford county derives it's name
from Captain Bradford, who was
killed in battle on an island in the
PcltI VI the SIc~lC
Clay is one of fifteen counties in
the United States named in honor of
Henry Clay, the Kentucky statesman.
Putnam, with counties in eight
other states, bears the name of Gen
eral Israel Putnam, Revolutionary
war hero.
st. John county took its name
from st. Johns river, which was called
by the Spanish discoverers San Juan
Bautista est. the Baptist) because it
was first seen upon this saints day.
Volusia county derived it's name
from a town within its limits sup
posed to have been named for Volus,
an English settler.
Lake is one of twelve counties in
the union so named because of their
proximity to lakes.
Orange county took its name from
its extensive orange groves. A coun-
ty in southern California obtained its
name in the same manner.
Osceo1a bears the name of a cele-
brated Seminole Indian chief. The
name refers to a medicine drink used
by the tribe in certain ceremonies.
1t has been used in many parts of
the United States.
BrevaId county owes it's name to
Doctor Brevard, author of the Neck
lenburg. Is. Co. Declaration of In
dependence.
Dade was named for Major Fran
els L. Dade, of the Seminole war. for
whom counties in Georgia and Misso-
uri were also so-called.
Monroe is one of the seventeen
counties named in honor OF Presi-
dent James Monroe.
=s-
Southern states, honors Gne memory
Of General Robert E. Lee.
DeSoto county owes it's name to
de Soto, discoverer Of the
river. Counties in Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana and several
cities have his name.
Manatee county was so named
from the presence Of the sea cow or
along the coast.
Hillsborough county was so called
in honor OF the English Earl OF Hills
borough, for whom a New Hamp-
shire county was also named.
Polk is one of eleven conties taking
their names from President James K. |
Polk.
Pasco county was named for Sen
ator Pasco.
fernando county took the first |
name Of fernando de Soto, the ex-
plorer.
Sumter county bears the name of |
1 Revolutionary officer, General Thorn |
Is Sumter, for whom Fort Sumter |
was named.
Citrus county was so named be- |
cause of the abundance Of orange |
groves. The word especially refers |
20 a small genus of trees OF the or
Lnge family.
Levy county took the name Of a
prominent politician.
Alachua county has a Greek or
Nuskogee Indian name meaning
grassy, marshy plain
Lafayette is one of the numerous
namesakes of the Mar
Iuis de La Fayette, who aided the
American revolutionists.
Columbia county, with a host of
'ther places, honors the name of the
liscoverer of America.
Hamilton is one of eight counties
n the country owing their name to i
Alexander Hamilton, the statesman
nd financier.
Suwannee county took its name II
rom the river. It is an Indian word
ariously Interpreted, but is probably
er1ved from sawani, signifying echo"
r "echo river"
Madison is one Of numerous coun-
les named In honor OF President
ames Madison.
Taylor owes It's name 20 General III
,achary Taylor, for whom counties in
hree other states were so called.
Jefferson county was probably
AIMED for President Jefferson, whose
anne is borne by counties in twenty
wo states.
Leon county is a namesake Of Ponce
e Leon, the Spanish explorer. whose
anne Is so linked with Florida
Wakulla county was named for the
amous spring near the gulf coast It
an Indian word meaning mystery"
Gadsden took its name from James
the American statesman.