Although most people know Pennsylvania is named after William Penn, the subjects behind the names of some local towns aren’t so well known, writes Sandy Hingston for Philadelphia magazine.

Several locations in Delaware County were named after important historic figures. Morton, for example, was named after Sketchley Morton, a Revolutionary War major. His father, John Morton, cast the deciding vote on independence at the Continental Congress.

The first part of Marcus Hook’s name was inspired by Marrites, an Indian chief. However, the last name refers to a piece of land sticking out into the Delaware. In the 18th century, the settlement was also a hotbed for pirates who preyed on ships in the river.

Eddystone Lighthouse in Plymouth, England was an indirect inspiration for Eddystone’s name. Thomas Simpson was so impressed by it that he convinced his father to name the family printing press after it, and later the town.

Upland is the namesake of the Swedish province of Uppland, which has the highest known concentration of Viking runestones.

Finally, no one is sure how Media got its name, but some think it refers to its location at the center of Delaware County.

Read more about how these local towns got their names in Philadelphia magazine here.

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