History
The area was previously inhabited by the Siouan Manahoac tribe, the first white settlement in what was to become Orange County was Germanna. It was there in 1714 that Governor Alexander Spotswood settled 12 families from Westphalia, Germany—42 people in all. The legal entity of Orange County was established in 1734 from a portion of Spotsylvania County. Orange County is named for Prince William III of Orange, a famous protestant King of Great Britain and Ireland, by Ulster-Scots settlers. The family name of William of Orange was derived from the dynasty's ancestral origins as feudal lords of the French town of Orange, which was named by the ancient Gauls in honour of a celtic water deity.

President James Madison's home, Montpelier, and Virginia governor and U.S. Senator James Barbour's ruined home, Barboursville, are located in the county. President Zachary Taylor was born here.[2] During the Civil War, the Battle of the Wilderness took place in the County in May 1864.