The County was formed on January 29, 1840 from the Western half of Campbell County (est. 1794) and is Kentucky's nineteenth county in order of formation.  Kenton County is named after the pioneer settler General Simon Kenton (1755-1836) who helped to settle the Northern Kentucky / Cincinnati area in the late 18th century.  When Kenton County broke away from Campbell County in 1840 the citizens of the new county wanted to name a city in remembrance of their autonomy.   The original county seat, Independence, was named in honor of this new freedom from Campbell County.