Southampton County, located in Southeastern Virginia, was originally part of "Warrasquoyocke," one of the eight shires making up the Colony of Virginia. The Warrasquoyocke shire was renamed Isle of Wight in 1637. On 30 April 1749, the portion of Isle of Wight County west of the Blackwater River known as Nottoway Parish was organized as Southampton County, Virginia. In 1785, the part of Nansemond county west of the Blackwater River was added. In December 1961, the Town of Franklin located at the navigable head of the Blackwater River became a independent city. Subsequent annexations of Southampton County in 1986 & 1996 increased the population and land area of the City. For genealogical records before 1749, see the Isle of Wight County Records.
Southampton County was named, in the opinion of many authorities, for Henry Wriothesley, third earl of Southampton and treasurer of the London Company from 1620 to 1624. It is more likely, however, that the county was named for the Southampton, England.
The original inhabitants of Southampton County were the Nottoway Indians.
Localities include: