There are several theories which try to explain the origin of the name São Jorge (Saint George).

One of the versions derives from a sailor that would have disembarked there. 

Another theory states that a certain person gave the name of his son to this land. 

However, there is a third account, which we believe is the most likely one – well, at least it is the most coherent theory: historians believe that there was a chapel consecrated to Saint George, which, during the second quarter of the 18th century, was converted, into a parish church, ending up by determining the name of the civil parish.

In fact, the civil parish of São Jorge was initially centred in a place called Calhau, by the mouth of the stream, where a chapel was established in the end of the 15th century. This chapel was nearly destroyed by a great storm in 1660.

The settlement took place in 1425, after Infante D. Henrique, the prince, having given the order to colonise the island, where São Jorge civil parish was included. The settles were Portuguese from the mainland.

The establishment of the civil parish dates back to the year 1517.