Who Was Pennsylvania Actually Named After?

PENNSYLVANIA - It’s one of the most straightforward facts in American history: William Penn, the famous Quaker leader, founded Pennsylvania. Naturally, most assume he named the new colony in his own honor. However, the true story is more complex and reveals a fascinating tale of a king's loyalty, a father's legacy, and a son's humble objections. While William Penn founded the colony, Pennsylvania was actually named in honor of his father, Admiral Sir William Penn.

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A Royal Debt and a Father's Legacy:

The story begins not with a quest for land, but with a debt. King Charles II of England owed a substantial sum of money—approximately £16,000, a massive amount at the time—to Admiral Sir William Penn for his distinguished service to the Crown. The admiral was a high-ranking and respected naval commander who had played a key role in English naval victories.

After the admiral's death, his son, William Penn, inherited the claim to this royal debt. As a devout Quaker who had faced persecution for his beliefs in England, the younger Penn saw an opportunity. In 1681, he petitioned the king to repay the debt not with money, but with a land grant in the American colonies where he could establish a "holy experiment"—a haven for religious freedom and peaceful coexistence.

The Naming of "Penn's Woods":

King Charles II agreed to the proposal. When it came time to name the vast, forested territory, William Penn suggested "Sylvania," the Latin word for "forests" or "woods."

However, the king, wishing to honor the memory and service of his late friend, insisted on adding the family name to the grant. He officially named the new colony "Pennsylvania," which translates to "Penn's Woods."

A Humble Objection:

This decision did not sit well with the younger William Penn. As a Quaker, he valued humility and simplicity, and he was deeply concerned that people would believe he had named the colony after himself out of vanity and self-importance. He strongly objected, but the king's will was firm. The name was a tribute to the admiral, not the son, and it would stand.

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So, while William Penn is the celebrated founder of the Commonwealth, the "Penn" in Pennsylvania is a lasting tribute to his father, Admiral Sir William Penn. The name is a permanent reminder of a king's gratitude to a loyal naval commander and the royal debt that ultimately paved the way for the founding of a new colony built on the ideals of peace and tolerance.

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Sources:

• The Historical Society of Pennsylvania
• Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission (PHMC)
• Ushistory.org
• Biographies of William Penn and Admiral Sir William Penn
• Records of King Charles II's reign and the 1681 Pennsylvania Charter