King William County

KING WILLIAM COUNTY

Official blazon

Origin/meaning

Adopted in: 1977

The colors green and blue throughout the King William County seal represent the county’s agricultural history and its extensive waterways on Virginia’s middle peninsula. Agriculture is also reflected in the tobacco leaves, held by the planter on the right, and the Native American on the left, who is holding pieces of oak and pine, which represent forestry. Both men symbolize the county’s residents.

The native Mattaponi and Pamunkey tribes operated shad hatcheries, which are represented on the shield, along with the crown, for King William III, the cross for religion, and gold droplets — wealth from working the land.

The King William County Courthouse, at the top, was built in 1725 and is thought to be the oldest public building in use in Virginia and the oldest courthouse of English foundation in continuous use in the United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969 and though a new courthouse has been built nearby, hearings are still held in the original courthouse.

The county’s motto, “Under God, the People Rule,” frames the bottom of the seal.