A large number of places in the U.S were named after places in England as a result of English settlers and explorers. Some names were carried over directly and are found throughout the country (such as Manchester/Birmingham), others carry the New- prefix, e.g. New York is named after the James Duke of York, brother of King Charles II, who became the proprietor of the colony and so it was that the state and the city become called New York. There are also many US towns and cities called Rochester which are named for Rochester, Kent.
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