Many Virginia place names record the people and events of the colonial era. English monarchs, royal dukes and early settlers all left their names on the map.
Quick answer: Many Virginia place names come from English royalty. Virginia itself honors Queen Elizabeth I, the “Virgin Queen.” Jamestown was named for King James I, and King Charles II gave Virginia the nickname “Old Dominion.” Cumberland Gap takes its name from the Duke of Cumberland.
Contents
- The Name Virginia
- The Old Dominion
- Names From the Colonial Era
- Modern Names
- Frequently asked questions
The Name Virginia
Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth I of England, known as the “Virgin Queen.”[1] After an expedition sent by Sir Walter Raleigh landed on the American coast, Raleigh reported the landing to the queen, and the territory was named Virginia in her honor.[2]
The Old Dominion
King Charles II gave Virginia the name “Old Dominion” to recognize its loyalty to the Crown during the English Civil War of the mid-1600s.[1] The state is also called the “Mother of Presidents,” because eight U.S. presidents were born there.[1]
Names From the Colonial Era
| Place | Origin of the name |
|---|---|
| Jamestown | Named for King James I when the site was chosen on May 13, 1607[3] |
| Williamsburg | New name of Middle Plantation when the capital moved there in 1699[3] |
| Cumberland Gap | Thomas Walker named the mountain for the Duke of Cumberland in 1750[4] |
Modern Names
| Place | Origin of the name |
|---|---|
| Delmarva Peninsula | Shared by Delaware, Maryland and Virginia[5] |
| Eastern Shore | Virginia’s part of the peninsula, east of the Chesapeake Bay[5] |
| Fall line | Where rivers drop over falls and rapids from the Piedmont onto the Coastal Plain[6] |
Frequently asked questions
Who was Virginia named after? Queen Elizabeth I of England, the “Virgin Queen.”
Why is Virginia called the Old Dominion? King Charles II gave it that name for its loyalty to the Crown during the English Civil War.
Who was Jamestown named after? King James I of England.
Why is Virginia called the Mother of Presidents? Because eight U.S. presidents were born in Virginia.
References
- [1] Secretary of the Commonwealth of Virginia, History and Facts on Virginia – last checked 11/08/2026
- [2] Library of Virginia, Document Bank of Virginia: Sir Walter Raleigh – last checked 11/08/2026
- [3] National Park Service, Historic Jamestowne: A Short History of Jamestown – last checked 11/08/2026
- [4] National Park Service, Cumberland Gap (history) – last checked 11/08/2026
- [5] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge – last checked 11/08/2026
- [6] National Park Service, Fall Line (Prince William Forest Park) – last checked 11/08/2026
The early colony is described in The Virginia Colony: Overview.