The origin of the word "County" (as in the "counties" of England)

flyingkiwiDK

Hoping some of you lifers might be able to help.

I've just been having a chat with my Danish wife about an article which was published in a local newspaper whereby the English word "County" was directly translated to the noble title of "Count". On that basis my wife asked whether we call them Counties because they were effectively ruled by a Count or whether this is totally non related and the Danes have just literally translated the word without really understanding its true meaning.

Bit of random question I know but having looked online I couldn't get a satisfactory answer!

Fk

creepyaddick

I found this!
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/county

flyingkiwiDK

Thanks creepy. That answers that then. My wife is right (as usual!)

RedChaser

I never bother with Google just I ask the other half it's quicker.