Hansford County was formed from Young and Bexar territories, created on August 21, 1876, and organized on March 11, 1889. It was named in honor of John M. Hansford, who came to Texas in 1837, served as a member of the Texas Congress, and was judge of the Seventh Judicial District from 1840 to 1842 before dying in 1844. Hansford is the county seat.