Wilkinson County, the 29th county formed in Georgia, was created in 1803. The county was named for General James Wilkinson, an officer of the Revolutionary War and native of Maryland.

Irwinton was named for Georgia governor Jared Irwin. Gordon was named for the first president of the Central Georgia Railroad, William Washington Gordon (for whom Gordon County is also named). Allentown is situated at the junction of four counties: Wilkinson, Twiggs, Laurens and Bleckley