Origin: Caroline County was created in 1773 from Dorchester and Queen Anne's counties (Chapter 10, Acts of 1773). Lady Caroline Eden gave her name to the county. She was the wife of Maryland's last colonial governor, Robert Eden (1741-1784); the daughter of Charles Calvert, Fifth Lord Baltimore; and the sister of Frederick Calvert, Sixth Lord Baltimore.
Origin: The exact date and legal origin of Dorchester County are unknown, but it was in existence by February 16, 1668/69, when a writ was issued to the county sheriff by the Lord Proprietary. The County was named for the Earl of Dorset, a family friend of the Calverts.
Origin: Kent was first mentioned as a county in 1642, when the Governor and Council appointed commissioners for the Isle and County of Kent. The County was named for the county of the same name bordering the English Channel in the southeast of England.
Origin: Queen Anne's County was erected in 1706 (Chapter 3, Acts of 1706). The County was named for Queen Anne (1665-1714), who ruled Great Britain and Ireland from 1702 to 1714. During Queen Anne's reign, Maryland was governed as a royal colony rather than as a proprietary province.
Origin: The form of Talbot County's creation, though not known, probably was by virtue of an order of the Governor in Council. The County was in existence by February 18, 1661/ 62, when a writ was issued to the sheriff. The County was named after Lady Grace Talbot, sister of Cecilius Calvert, Second Lord Baltimore, and wife of Sir Robert Talbot, Irish statesman.
