Early County was designated in 1818 directly from Creek Indian land. Subsequent divisions of territory allowed for the creation of Clay, Calhoun, Dougherty, Mitchell, Gray, Decatur, Miller and Seminole coun­ties. It was named for Peter Early, governor of Georgia, member of Congress and judge of the Ocmulgee Circuit. Blakely, the county seat, is named for Captain Johnston Blakely, commander of the sloop Wasp during the War of 1812.