MARYLAND'S 24 counties have a rich history. Of particular note is how the various subdivisions acquired their names. Here's a rundown:
Baltimore City and Baltimore County -- from the proprietary Calvert family's Irish barony.
Anne Arundel County -- from Lady Anne Arundel, the wife of the second Lord Baltimore, Cecilius Calvert, who founded the colony.
Howard County -- from John Eager Howard, Revolutionary War hero and Maryland governor.
Carroll County -- from Charles Carroll of Carrollton, lawyer and signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Harford County -- from Henry Harford, the illegitimate son of the sixth Lord Baltimore and the last proprietary of the colony.
Montgomery County -- from Gen. Richard Montgomery of Revolutionary War fame.
Prince George's County -- from the husband of Princess Anne, who later became queen.
Queen Anne's County -- see above.
Caroline County -- from the sister of the last Lord Baltimore, Lady Caroline Eden.
Cecil County -- from the second Lord Baltimore.
Dorchester County -- from a family friend of the Calverts, Earl of Dorset.
Kent County -- from the English county of the same name.
Somerset County -- from the sister-in-law of the second Lord Baltimore, Mary Somerset.
Talbot County -- from the sister of the second Lord Baltimore, Grace Talbot.
Wicomico County -- from the river; derived from Indian words for house ("wicko") and building ("mekee"), apparently referring to an Indian town on the banks of the river.
Worcester -- from the Earl of Worcester.
Washington County -- for (you guessed it) George Washington.
Frederick County -- from the sixth Lord Baltimore, Frederick Calvert.
Allegany County -- from the Indian word "Oolikhanna", meaning "beautiful stream."
Garrett County -- for John Work Garrett, of B&O Railroad fame.
Charles County -- for the son and heir of Cecilius Calvert.
Calvert County -- from the founding Calvert family, of course.
St. Mary's County -- the Catholic Calverts named the first county in honor of the Virgin Mary.