[3] It is named for George Washington Hockley, a secretary of war of the Republic of Texas.

It was named for George Washington Hockley,[4] the commander of artillery in the Battle of San Jacinto and later Secretary of War of the Republic of Texas.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 909 square miles (2,350 km2), of which 908 square miles (2,350 km2) are land and 0.2 sq mi (0.52 km2) (0.02%) is covered by water.

[5] As of the census[11] of 2000, 22,716 people, 7,994 households, and 6,091 families resided in the county.

The racial makeup of the county was 74.38% White, 3.72% Black or African American, 0.82% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 18.68% from other races, and 2.22% from two or more races.