In its early years as a colony, North Carolina became an important source of the naval stores of tar, pitch, and turpentine, especially for the Royal Navy. Tar and pitch were … See more

• The earliest surviving written use of the term can be found in the diary of 2nd Lieutenant Jackson B. A. Lowrance, who wrote the following on February 6, 1863 while in See more

• Michael W. Taylor: Tar Heels: How North Carolinians got their nickname. Division of Archives and History, North Carolina Dept. of Cultural … See more

The following legends and anecdotes attempt to explain the term's origin.
Revolutionary War
According to this legend, the troops of British See more

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Tar Heel, North Carolina
• Tarheel, North Carolina
• Tar River
• Tarboro See more

• Barteby dictionary entry with suggested etymology
• North Carolina Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce explanation
• Early postcard of the icon of a Tar Heel from UNC library, Link to UNC library site on civil war images See more