Pasquotank County was formed as early as 1668 as a precinct of Albemarle County. Its name is derived from an Indian word pasketanki which meant "where the current of the stream divides or forks." It is in the northeastern section of the State and is bounded by Albemarle Sound and Perquimans, Gates, and Camden counties.

It is not known when the first court house was built, but from 1737 to 1757 the court house was at Brook Field. In 1758, it was moved to Relfe's Point. It remained there until 1765, when the county seat was moved to Winfield. Winfield remained the county seat until 1785.

In 1784, the General Assembly directed that it be moved to Nixonton, and from 1785 to 1800 Nixonton was the county seat. In 1799, Elizabeth Town was named the county seat and on June 6, 1800, the first court was held there. Elizabeth City was first called Redding, which was established in 1793. Redding was changed to Elizabeth Town in 1794, and Elizabeth Town was changed to Elizabeth City in l801. It is the current county seat of Pasquotank County.