Cecil County was erected in 1674 from Baltimore and Kent counties by proclamation of the Governor. The county gets its name from Cecilius, Lord Baltimore and founder of the colony of Maryland. Although he never lived in Maryland, Cecil ius Calvert was Proprietor of the colony from 1632 until his death in Middlesex, England in 1675.
Rodgers Tavern, in Cecil County, was a favorite stopping place of George Washington. The county seat is Elkton.
