In the 1820s, Hayneville was known as "Big Swamp." In 1830, after being chosen as the county seat of Lowndes County, it was named for Robert Y. Hayne, governor of South Carolina and a U.S. senator. The town's incorporation began in July 1967 with the desire and vision of 25 qualified electors of the county and residents of the Hayneville community. Two subsequent attempts were made for incorporation, and the last resulted in favor of incorporation. Only one person filed for a statement of candidacy and was nominated for the office of mayor and five places on the Town Council. After the requirements for incorporation were completed, Probate Judge Harold Hammond declared on July 15, 1968, that Hayneville was completely incorporated. The following people held office until the next regular election and until their successors were qualified and elected: Mayor L. W. Crocker and council members J. A. Jackson, W.M. Holladay, L. R. Haigler, J. A. Wise, and R. V. Harrell. In 2004, Helenor T. Bell was elected the first African female mayor of Hayneville.