In 1634, Virginia was divided into eight counties and the county which included the entire eastern shore peninsula of Virginia was named Accomack, a variation of Accawmacke, the Indian name for this region. "...in 1642 the name was changed to Northampton, but for many years Accomack often appeared in the records for the name of this area. ...in 1663, the northern and largest part of the eastern shore peninsula was separated from Northampton County...