These were further sub-divided to form sixteen additional counties by 1860.

Still, they may be chartered as provided in Article XI, Section 3 of the California Constitution.

[5] A charter county is granted limited home rule powers.

[6] Nine counties in California are named for saints, tied with Louisiana for the largest number.

This count omits Santa Cruz ("Holy Cross") County, not named for a saint; Merced County and Los Angeles County, both of whose names refer to Saint Mary (Our Lady of Mercy (Merced) and Our Lady Queen of The Angels (Los Angeles)); and Ventura County, whose name is a shortening of the name of St. Bonaventure, the namesake of the local mission.