Maryland State Nickname: The Old Line State
Fact-checked • Updated December 10, 2025
"The Old Line State"
Also Known As:
About the Nickname The Old Line State
Maryland carries the widely recognized nickname The Old Line State. This name honors Maryland troops who fought in the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783. The Maryland Line regiments earned respect for holding their position during the Battle of Long Island in August 1776. These soldiers fought to let other American forces escape from British troops. Maryland's state song mentions the Old Line and celebrates the bravery shown by Maryland soldiers during the war.
Meaning of 'The Old Line State'
The Old Line State nickname comes from the Maryland Line, which was the name for Maryland's regular army units during the Revolutionary War. These regiments fought in major battles across the colonies. The Battle of Long Island on August 27, 1776, made the Maryland Line famous. About 400 Maryland soldiers charged British forces multiple times to protect retreating American troops.
The term Old Line is traditionally associated with George Washington's praise of Maryland troops after watching them hold their ground against much larger enemy forces. Only a small number of Maryland soldiers survived that battle, but their actions saved thousands of other American fighters. The Maryland Line continued fighting through the entire war. These regiments served at Valley Forge, fought at the Battle of Cowpens, and helped win the final victory at Yorktown in 1781.
People started using Old Line State as Maryland's nickname in the years after the Revolutionary War ended. The name appeared in newspapers and speeches during the 1800s. Today the nickname reminds people of the courage Maryland soldiers showed when America was fighting for independence.
Other Nicknames
Free State
Maryland gained this nickname in the 1920s during Prohibition. The 18th Amendment banned alcohol sales across the United States starting in 1920. Maryland refused to pass its own state enforcement laws for Prohibition. A newspaper editor named Hamilton Owens started calling Maryland the Free State because the state government would not add extra rules beyond federal law. The nickname became popular and many people still use it today. Maryland residents liked the idea of their state standing up for individual choice.
Chesapeake State
This name comes from the Chesapeake Bay, which cuts through the middle of Maryland and forms much of the state's eastern border. The bay is about 200 miles long and contains thousands of miles of shoreline when you count all the rivers and inlets. Chesapeake is an Algonquian word meaning great shellfish bay. Fishing and crabbing in the bay have been important to Maryland's economy since colonial times. The Chesapeake State nickname appears in some writings from the 1800s but is less common than other Maryland names.
Oyster State
People called Maryland this because the Chesapeake Bay produced enormous numbers of oysters in the 1800s and early 1900s. Watermen harvested millions of bushels each year. Baltimore became a center for oyster packing and shipping. At its peak, Maryland supplied about half of all oysters eaten in America. Oyster harvests began dropping in the mid-1900s because of overfishing and pollution. The Oyster State nickname was popular when the oyster industry was at its strongest but is rarely used now.
Interesting Facts
Fact 1 of 6
Maryland became the seventh state to ratify the Constitution on April 28, 1788.
Sources & References
This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Official information about Maryland's Old Line State nickname and its connection to the Revolutionary War
Comprehensive article covering Maryland's history, the Battle of Long Island, and how the Old Line nickname developed
Overview of Maryland state information including nicknames and historical background