Motley County was formed from Young and Bexar Territories, created on August 21, 1870, and organized on February 5, 1891. It was named in honor of Dr. Junius William Mottley, 1812-1836, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence and an aide to General Rusk at the Battle of San Jacinto, where he was mortally wounded. Matador is the county seat.