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Why Is It Named ... ?

Why Is Maryland Named Maryland?

Maryland was named for Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of Charles I. The colony’s 1632 charter went to Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore.

Posted 1 min read
The flag of Maryland
The flag of Maryland

Maryland takes its name from Queen Henrietta Maria, the wife of King Charles I. The Maryland State Archives identifies her as the namesake of the colony established under the charter of 1632.

Charles I granted that charter to Cecilius Calvert, the second Lord Baltimore, on June 20, 1632. That is the connection between the royal name and the Calvert family: the colony honored the queen, while its charter went to Lord Baltimore.

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TopicsLord Baltimore · Maryland

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