Commonwealth (United States)


 * This article is about U.S. States that designate themselves as "Commonwealths." For usage relating to U.S. insular areas, see . For other uses of the term, see .



Four of the constituent of the  officially designate themselves Commonwealths:, , , and. This designation, which has no constitutional impact, emphasizes that they have a "government based on the common consent of the people" as opposed to one legitimized through their earlier status that was derived from the King of. The word commonwealth is of English derivation and refers to the common "wealth" or welfare of the public. In common parlance, people do not make the distinction between state or commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Kentucky
In, residents of began petitioning the  legislature for statehood. They wished the County to be recognized as a "free and, to be known by the name of the Commonwealth of Kentucky." On, , , Kentucky officially became a state. The was changed as to the style for "all process and mandates" to "Commonwealth of Kentucky" in ; prior to that change "State of Kentucky" was used.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Massachusetts is officially named "The Commonwealth of Massachusetts" by its. The name "State of Massachusetts Bay" was used in all acts and resolves up to 1780 and the first draft of the constitution. The current name can be traced to the second draft of the state constitution, which was written by and ratified in.

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
The does not use the term, but legal processes are in the name of the Commonwealth and it is a traditional official designation used in referring to the state. In 1776, Pennsylvania's first state constitution referred to it as both "Commonwealth" and "State," a pattern of usage that was perpetuated in the constitutions of 1790, 1838, 1874, and 1968.

A detailed history describing the origins of Pennsylvania's government, including its designation as a commonwealth from colonial times, is available from the Secretary of the Commonwealth's office.

Commonwealth of Virginia
The name "Commonwealth of Virginia" dates back to its independence from. Virginia's first constitution (adopted on, ) directed that "Commissions and Grants shall run, In the Name of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and bear taste by the Governor with the Seal of the Commonwealth annexed." The still issues commissions in this manner. Among other references, the constitution furthermore dictated that criminal indictments were to conclude "against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth."