Prior to English colonization what is today Hanover County was hunting ground for the Pamunkey and Chickahominy Indians. In the late 17th century it was settled by plantation owners and others involved in the tobacco related economy. At that time it was part of New Kent County. Hanover County was officially formed on November 26, 1720 from the area of New Kent County called St. Paul's Parish. It was named for King George I of England, who was Elector of Hannover in Germany when he came to the throne. Two early port towns on the Pamunkey River were Hanovertown and Newcastle. Both were mercantile villages from which tobacco was shipped to England. Neither exists today.

Patrick Henry," Orator of the Revolution" and first Governor of Virginia, was born in Hanover County in 1736. Henry began his law career with an impassioned plea against the King (known as the Parson's Cause case) at Hanover Courthouse. "Scotchtown", Henry's family home while Governor of Virginia, has been preserved and is open to the public. He also worked at the Hanover Tavern, owned by his in-laws. Henry was greatly influenced by The Rev. Samuel Davies, the leader of "The Great Awakening" in Virginia, who established Pole Green and other meeting houses in Hanover in the 1740's and later was the first president of Princeton University".