Have you ever wondered, “Why is Virginia called the Old Dominion?” The nickname dates back to the state’s colonial loyalty and remains relevant today.
Years before Virginia became a commonwealth, it earned a nickname rooted in royal loyalty and colonial politics. The title “Old Dominion” dates to the 17th century, when Virginia was recognized as one of the English monarchy’s overseas dominions and later stood by King Charles II during his exile following the English Civil Wars. That allegiance left a lasting mark, transforming a phrase once used by kings into a nickname that still defines Virginia’s identity centuries later.
Virginia’s status as a dominion
Virginia became known as the first overseas dominion of the monarchs of England in 1624, after King James I revoked the charter of the Virginia Company of London and made it a royal colony under direct crown control. The directive described Virginia as “En Dat Virginia Quintam,” which meant it was the fifth of the dominions of the English monarchy. The others claimed by the crown included England, Scotland, Ireland, and France.
The seal of Virginia carried that same moniker from 1625 until the Acts of Union in 1707, which formed Great Britain. Virginia, therefore, received a promotion from fifth to fourth place with the updated moniker being “En Dat Virginia Quartam” or “Behold, Virginia gives the fourth.” The motto continued to appear on colonial seals until the American Revolution.
King Charles II connection
The “old” part of the “Old Dominion” title is said to come from King Charles II. Even though Charles was exiled after his father, King Charles I, was executed during the English Civil Wars, Virginia’s governor and General Assembly nevertheless proclaimed Charles II as king. The act of defiance against the victors of the wars resulted in the English Parliament sending ships to Virginia to demand that it renounce its allegiance to Charles.
The act didn’t go unnoticed by Charles, who is thought to have referred to Virginia as his “faithful old dominion.” He even wore a robe of Virginia silk that was given to him by Virginia Gov. Sir. William Berkeley in 1663. Additionally, he referred to it as “our auntient Collonie of Virginia” and one of “our own Dominions.”
The phrase caught on back in Virginia with the General Assembly calling Virginia in 1699 “his majesties ancient colony and dominion,” and later “Your Majesty’s most antient Colony and Dominion of Virginia.”
Legacy of the name
Centuries later, the Old Dominion name still echoes across the commonwealth’s institutions, infrastructure, and popular culture.
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University in Norfolk traces its lineage back to the College of William and Mary, which was established by royal charter in 1693 by King William III and Queen Mary II. Mary was Charles II’s niece.
By 1962, the General Assembly had decided to form a separate institution from the College of William and Mary’s Norfolk division, giving it the name of Old Dominion College. The name was changed to Old Dominion University in 1969.
The university’s connection to the British monarchy continues today with its athletic teams being called the Monarchs. The mascot features a lion wearing a royal crown.
Old Dominion
The country music band Old Dominion was named after the unique connection the members have to Virginia. Frontman Matthew Ramsey and drummer Whit Sellers are from the Roanoke Valley. Sellers met future bandmates Geoff Sprung, who plays bass, and Brad Tursi, who plays guitar, while studying at James Madison University. To come up with a name befitting of their connection to Virginia, the members decided to call themselves Old Dominion.
In 2014, the band started picking up momentum, culminating in multiple No. 1 country radio hits and being named Group of the Year in 2018 and 2019 at the ACM Awards.
Ramsey’s connection to Virginia continues to this day through his Ramsey Foundation, which raises funds for a food pantry, as well as music and arts experiences for children, in his native Buchanan.
Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park
The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park, part of NOVA Parks, also carries the Old Dominion name. Uniquely, the trail is called the skinniest park in the commonwealth, running 100 feet in width. It runs from Shirlington to Purcellville along a 45-mile stretch of former Washington and Old Dominion Railroad track.
The railroad was operational from 1859 to 1968. During the early 1900s, it provided rail service three times daily from Alexandria and Falls Church, as well as Leesburg and Purcellville.
The right-of-way was acquired by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority in stages between 1977 and 1982.
Old Dominion Freight Line
Old Dominion Freight Line also carries the Old Dominion name. It was founded by Earl and Lillian Congdon in 1934 with one truck. From those humble origins, a freight industry leader was born. Today, the company consists of 260 locations, 22,000 employees, and over 11,000 trucks.
Dominion Energy
Dominion Energy, headquartered in Richmond, was given the “Dominion” name in 1983 because the Virginia Electric and Power Co. was reorganized under a holding company named Dominion Resources. The name spoke to the company’s broad service region. In 1987, the name Dominion Energy came into use, but it wasn’t until 2017 that the name was used companywide.
The company traces its roots to the late 1700s when the General Assembly established the Upper Appomattox Trustees to aid navigation along the James and Appomattox rivers.
Today, the company provides electricity to 3.6 million homes and businesses across Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Other nicknames for Virginia
While the Old Dominion nickname is perhaps the most popular one given to Virginia, it’s also known as the Commonwealth and the mother of presidents.
The Commonwealth
Virginia is often referred to as “the Commonwealth” because of its status as a commonwealth instead of a state. The designation comes from the 1776 Constitution of Virginia, which outlined that governance should be based on the common good.
Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky are the only other jurisdictions in the U.S. that carry the unique status.
Mother of presidents
It’s no surprise that Virginia is known as the “mother of presidents,” given that it has produced more presidents than any other state in the nation. Eight presidents in total have come from Virginia, with the first four U.S. presidents having been Virginia residents. The famous Virginians include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Woodrow Wilson.
