indicate the level to which a name has been verified.Type Political Subdivision & Settlement
Usage American (South)
Meaning & History
Gwinnett County, Georgia was established on December 15, 1818, named after Button Gwinnett, one of Georgia’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence. The county was formed from land ceded by the Cherokee and Creek Nations, as well as a portion of Jackson County.
The county seat, Lawrenceville, was incorporated in 1821 and became the center of early governance. Gwinnett County played a role in Worcester v. Georgia (1831), a landmark Supreme Court case that ruled only the federal government had jurisdiction over Native American lands.
During the Civil War, Gwinnett County’s representatives voted against Georgia’s secession, and Union troops foraged in the area during the Atlanta Campaign. The county later became a hub for cotton farming, but economic shifts in the 20th century led to a transition toward dairy farming and industry.
Gwinnett County experienced rapid growth in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S. Today, it is known for its diverse population, economic development, and proximity to Atlanta.
The county seat, Lawrenceville, was incorporated in 1821 and became the center of early governance. Gwinnett County played a role in Worcester v. Georgia (1831), a landmark Supreme Court case that ruled only the federal government had jurisdiction over Native American lands.
During the Civil War, Gwinnett County’s representatives voted against Georgia’s secession, and Union troops foraged in the area during the Atlanta Campaign. The county later became a hub for cotton farming, but economic shifts in the 20th century led to a transition toward dairy farming and industry.
Gwinnett County experienced rapid growth in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S. Today, it is known for its diverse population, economic development, and proximity to Atlanta.