Tappahannock

Also known as Tappahannock, Virginia, Tappahannock, VA

town in Essex County, Virginia, United States

Key facts

Country: United States
State: Virginia
County: Essex
Mayor: Roy Gladding
Total: 2.75 sq mi (7.11 km )
Land: 2.67 sq mi (6.91 km )
Water: 0.077 sq mi (0.20 km )
Elevation: 46 ft (14 m)
Estimate 2019: 2,402
Density: 899.9/sq mi (347.44/km )
Time zone: UTC−5 ( Eastern (EST) )
Summer dst: UTC−4 (EDT)
Fips code: 51-77568

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Article

Tappahannock is the oldest town in Essex County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2020 census, Tappahannock had a population of 2,193. Located on the Rappahannock River, Tappahannock is the county seat of Essex County. Its name comes from an Algonquian language word toppehannock, meaning "cold-water creek".

In 1608 English explorer John Smith landed in Tappahannock and fought with the local Rappahannock people. After defeating them, he later made peace.