The area was named for Julius Real, the only Republican in the Texas Senate when the county was formed in 1913. In 1883 Edwards County, which included part of the area of present-day Real County, was organized. Bullhead served as the Edwards county seat from September of that year until 1884, when voters moved the seat to Leakey. The government of Edwards County remained at Leakey until April of 1891, when it was moved to Rocksprings after a disputed election. After Rocksprings was declared winner of the election, the results were contested by residents of Leakey (who themselves were accused of ballot-box stuffing). Judge Hunter, a local magistrate, organized a group of men, crossed the divide, and moved the county records from Leakey to Rocksprings during the night. In the spring of 1913 the Texas state legislature established Real County from parts of Edwards, Bandera, and Kerr counties. Leakey was elected county seat.-Texas Counties Online: Real County