Hardin County was created by the Texas Legislature on January 22, 1858. Franklin Hardin, a member of the State Legislature at the time, suggested that the new county should be "named in honor of the Hardin family of Liberty", since he was a member of that family. The Hardin family had come to Texas from Tennessee in 1825 and settled near Liberty. The Hardins played vital roles, not only locally, but also in the history of the Republic of Texas.

Hardin County was carved out of the northern part of Jefferson County, the eastern parts of Liberty County, and the southern part of Tyler County. The new county consisted of about 898 square miles.

An election was held on August 2, 1859, to elect officers of the new county. The first officials elected included Chief Justice (equivalent of County Judge) Hampton J. Herrington, the first County Treasurer William Hart, Sheriff Hilary Moore, Tax Assessor-Collector Ebenezer Holland, County Surveyor William Forbes and District Clerk J. B. Johnson. Others included County Commissioners Elbert E. Smith, William Hooks, Ralph Cryer, and William C. Lacy; County Clerk West Cotton, and Justices of the Peace George Womack, William L. Riley and J. P. Jordan.

The little town of Hardin, Texas, located about 3 miles west of the present city of Kountze, was chosen to be the county seat of the new county.

After the election of county officers, the officials commenced with their new duties of office and birth of Hardin was finalized. Records were filed, court cases heard, the first tax roll was compiled and the new county of Hardin was in business.

The Hardin family from Liberty was a very prominent family in Southeast Texas. Their family consisted of five sons and one daughter, children of Swan and Jerusha Blackburn Hardin, respected and prominent in the affairs of Southeast Texas and during the pre-Republic days and until well after the Civil War. The five sons were Benjamin Watson, Augustine Blackburn, Benjamin Franklin, Milton Ashley, William and one daughter, Elizabeth. Augustine was a member of the 1833 Convention and of the 1835 Convention and the 1836 Convention. A signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. William Hardin was an early Alcade and Judge. Ben Franklin was District Surveyor for several years and probably knew the Big Thicket better than any other man of his day. Frank also took part in the Battle of Bexar in 1835 and the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836. Ben Watson Hardin was a member of the Ninth Congress of the Republic and also served as Sheriff of Liberty County.

So you can see that Hardin County was named after a very prominent and influential family.