The chapter is named after Revolutionary War General Francis Nash of Hillsborough, NC.  He was wounded on October 4, 1777 in the Battle of Germantown, PA and died several days later. Locations named in honor of General Francis Nash include Nashville, TN; Nash County, NC; Nashville, NC; and Nashville, GA.

The chapter was chartered in 1928, and has operated under several chapter names, but General Francis Nash has been the primary chapter name for several decades.  The chapter is located in Chapel Hill (Orange County), and also includes Durham County, Chatham County, and nearby counties.