Los Angeles was founded on Feb. 18, 1850, its county seat is Los Angeles. In Spanish the name means the angels. Originally the name was Pueblo del Rio de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles de Porciuncula, which is quite a mouthful. The name was shortened by Governor Felipe de Neve when he issued orders to established a pueblo there. He simply called it Ciudad de Los Angeles or the City of the Angels.