CHATHAM: Chatham County was created out of Orange County in 1771, the same year that Guilford was created out of part of Orange and part of Rowan, and Chatham bordered Guilford's southeast area until Randolph County was created out of Guilford in 1779.

SURRY: Surry County was created out of Rowan County in 1771, the same year that Guilford was created out of part of Orange and part of Rowan. Surry bordered Guilford's northwest area, and, while the creation of Rockingham County out of Guilford's northern third reduced the border with Surry, they were still neighbors until Stokes County was created out of Surry's eastern half in 1789.

One could say that Chatham and Surry are half-siblings to Guilford.

ANSON: Anson County is one of the older counties in NC, created in 1750 from Bladen County. Anson gave birth to Rowan County in 1753, and it still bordered Guilford's southwestern area until Randolph County was created out of Guilford in 1779.

CUMBERLAND: Cumberland County was created in 1754 out of Bladen County, and it bordered Guilford's southeastern area until Randolph County was created out of Guilford in 1779.
While these borders were shared for only 8-18 years, depending on the county, these years were a time of substantial population growth and movement into and from surrounding areas. Those researching families in early Guilford records might want to keep these counties in mind for research options.

To see maps of early county boundaries, please visit the link in the next section which is labeled "North Carolina Formation of Counties."

VIRGINIA: Also, don't forget that Old Guilford County, the northern third of which became Rockingham County in 1785, was bordered on the north by the Virginia state line and Pittsylvania County, VA, on the northeast side, and Henry County, VA, on the northwest side. Henry County was created out Pittsylvania County in 1777, and Pittsylvania was created out of Halifax County, VA, in 1767. Halifax County was created out of Lunenburg County, VA, in 1752.