Accomac Shire was established in 1634 as one of the original eight shires of Virginia. The shire's name comes from the Native American word Accawmack, meaning "on the other side". In 1642 the named was changed to Northampton by the British, to eliminate "heathen" names in the New World. Northampton was split into two counties in 1663. The northern section assumed the original Accomac name, the southern, Northampton. In 1670, the Virginia Colony's Royal Governor William Berkeley abolished Accomac County, but the Virginia General Assembly re-created it in 1671. Unlike most of Virginia, during the Civil War, the county was not under Confederate control, but held by the forces of the United States government. In 1940, the General Assembly officially added a "k" to the end of the county's name to arrive at its current spelling. The very first Sheriff in the United States, William Stone, was appointed to serve Accomack County in 1634.

Notable Residents:

* William Anderson, born in Accomack County, United States Congressman from Pennsylvania * Thomas Evans, (c.1755-1815), born in Accomack County, United States Congressman from Virginia * George T. Garrison, (1835-1889), born in Accomack County, member of Virginia state legislature and United States Congressman from Virginia * James Hamilton, (c.1710-1783), born in Accomack County, lawyer and mayor of Philadelphia * James Henry, (1731-1804), born in Accomack County, lawyer and delegate to the Continental Congress * Abel P. Upshur, (1790-1844), born in Accomack County, United States Secretary of the Navy and United States Secretary of State.

Towns

* Accomac * Belle Haven, (Partially within Northampton County as well) * Bloxom * Chincoteague * Hallwood * Keller * Melfa * Onancock * Onley * Painter * Parksley * Saxis * Tangier * Wachapreague

Adjacent Counties

| Somerset Maryland | Worcester Maryland | Northampton |