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There were 6 small prefectures, which called Mito, Shishido, Kasama, Shimodate, Shimotsuma, and Matsuoka. After that, in the Edo era, Mito-han clan and Kasama-han clan were settled. Then in the Meiji era they put prefecture.
They became united, and established Ibaraki prefecture in the northern part of Ibaraki, in November 13th, 1871, and the prefecture government was settled in Mito city. At the same time, there was another prefecture in the southern part that called Niihari-ken, which had 11 small prefectures. Also there was Inba-ken in western part. Those three prefectures became into one.

Hai- Han-Chi-Ken (Abolition of Clans, and Placing Prefectures) at July 14th in Meiji 4th.		the second union at November 13th in Meiji 4th.		the last union at  May 7th in Meiji 8th.

* What is the origin of the place-name?

It is said in the 'Hitachino Fudoki' topography, which was written in Nara period, says there was a man whose named 'Kurosawa no Mikoto' in this area. He had a strong power and he built a castle with thorns-Ibara-, then he knocked the thieves down who had lived this area for a long time. Since then, it was called Ibaraki (the Castle of the Thorn).