Tappahannock is a city located in Essex County, Virginia, in the United States. It serves as the county seat and holds the distinction of being the oldest town within Essex County.
Situated along the Rappahannock River, the city had a population of 2,193 according to the 2020 census. The name Tappahannock is derived from the Algonquian word toppehannock, which translates to "cold-water creek."