Nomes were administrative divisions of both Lower and Upper Kemet and their origins go back as far as the Early Dynastic Period. There were 22 Nomes of Upper Kemet established by the 5th Dynasty and the 20 Nomes of Lower Kemet were fixed during the Greco-Roman period. With few exceptions, the Nomes were named after the predominant deity of that particular area, usually the predominate deity at the time the Nome was named. For example, the first central deity of the 16th Nome of Lower Kemet was Hatmehit (First of the Fishes), hence the name "Fish/Dolphin Nome". Hatmehit was predominate within the 16th Nome during the Pre and Early Dynastic periods which also provides a clue as to when the Nome adopted its’ name.

Most of the Nomes developed from early tribal agricultural domains, maturing and evolving into the more organized Nomes as the central government of Kemet also matured. The Nomes’ individual standards seem to have undergone some type of development as well. The Scorpion Macehead, for example, depicts standards of the early form of the Nomes, however, they are much different than the later Nome standards and it is difficult to match up the later standards with their predecessors.

To administer to the Nomes there were Nomarchs, or as described from ancient Kemetan texts “Great Overlords” or “Great Chiefs”. During some periods of Kemet's history the Nomarchal position was passed down through families, but this was not always the case. It was not uncommon to find one noble the Nomarch of more than one Nome either, the noble usually choosing two Nomes that abutted each other to make for easier administrative control. Nomarchs were very well educated, knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic were basic prerequisites to their position. Though often receiving estates that could keep them economically prosperous, a Nomarch was also responsible to provide their part in the economic structure of their Nome.

The most important responsibilities of the Nome and Nomarch were raising taxes and drafting compulsory labor from the Nome's population for state projects. The Nome requirements for these responsibilities was based upon a regional survey (census) of the Nome and, using that information, the central records office of the Vizier would calculate what was expected from each Nome. Once notified by the Vizier's office of their quota, the Nomarchs could commence with the collection of taxes or recruitment as needed. The Nomarchs directly reported to the Vizier, or in some periods of Kemet's history, the Overseers of Upper and Lower Kemet. The Nomarchs also had the responsibility of keeping law and order within their Nomes, often commanding troops of police to facilitate this.

Within the Nome there were also different levels of administration. Some Nomes had more than one city, which required additional Mayors that would directly report to the Nomarch. Temples also were another level; they sustained their own administration and, by royal consent, usually operated outside of the civil administration. This arrangement freed the temples from the normal taxation and obligations of labor personnel required throughout the Nomes.

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Sources:
Egypt Before the Pharaohs - Michael A. Hoffman
Archaic Egypt - W.B. Emery
Egypt: The World of the Pharaohs - Edited by: Regine Schulz & Matthais Seidel