# Place-Names of the Province of Nova Scotia/S

S
SABLE ISLAND—In 1505 named "Santa Cruz." In 1544 it appears on the map as "I da Crus." In 1548 its name appears as "Isolla del Arena." The present name appears as early as 1546 when Joannes Freire, a Portuguese map-maker, calls it "I. do Sable:" It is said by some to have received its name from the French word "sablon" meaning "sand."
The name appears on very old maps as "Sandy Ile." Sir Humphrey Gilbert visited it in 1583. La Roche left 50 convicts on it in 1598.
Owing to the great number of vessels that have been lost on this treacherous island which is forty miles long and two and one-half miles wide, it is known as the "Graveyard of the Atlantic."
SABLE RIVER (S.)—The Indian name for this river was "Neseamk," meaning "riley water flowing down over sand." Another part of the river they named "Pijeboogwek," meaning "a long flowing river."
SACRIFICE ISLAND (L.)—Near Heckman's Island. Known by this name as it is said that a white child was offered as a sacrifice by the Indians on this island.
SACKVILLE (H.)—This place was named in honor of George Sackville Germain, first Viscount Sackville, who was made Commander of the British forces in the year 1758 and Secretary of State for the Colonies 1775-1782. The Indian name for this place was "Aloosoolawakade," meaning "the place of measles."
Again an Indian name appears as "Kwebaço," applied to Sackville, meaning "the head of the tide."
SALMON RIVER (Y.)—Changed from the Micmac Indian name "Boonamoogwade," meaning "place of frost fish," or "Tom-cod-ground."
SALMON RIVER SETTLEMENT (Y.)—This place was settled about the beginning of the 19th century by liberated negro slaves. These slaves were owned by some of the early settlers of Yarmouth.
SALMON RIVER (H.)—(See Port Dufferin). The Indian name for the River was "Pulammoa-seboo," meaning, "Pulmo" (salmon) "Seeboo" (river).
​SALMON RIVER (C.)—This river was named by the Indians "Wagobagitk," meaning "the end of the flowing, or bounds of the rushing water, the tide, or bore." (See Cobequid).
SALMON RIVER (D.)—By the French named "Riviere aux Salmon" owing to the large number of salmon found there.
SALTER HEAD (Hts.)—Named after a Mr. Salter of Halifax, who was granted 2500 acres of land in this vicinity in the year 1765, and who afterwards sold it to General Small. (See Rawdon and Selmah).
SALT MOUNTAIN (I.)—Near Whycocomagh. It received its name from the saline springs to be found near its top.
SALT POND (Y.)—Before 1799 this place was called simply "Flats." It was settled in 1799 by twenty-five proprietors, and dyked at an expense of 270 pounds. It contains 165 acres.
SALT SPRINGS (P.)—At the foot of Mount Thom. In the year 1813 an attempt was made to manufacture salt from the saline springs which rise here; hence the name.
SAMBRO CAPE (H.)—The Indian name for this place was "Meseebakun," meaning "the constant mocker." At one time the spelling was "Sezambre," evidently so named after Sesambre an sland near St. Malo.
SAMSONVILLE (C. B.)—Named after a man named Sampson, who was the Postmaster.
SANDFIELD (C. B.)—A settlement on the Mira River, so named because the soil forms part of a great dune.
SAND RIVER (C.)—The Indian name for this place was "Agoomakunuk," meaning "where they catch the herring."
SAULNIERVILLE (D.)—Named after a French Acadian family of first settlers named "Saulnier."
SAVAGE POINT (P.)—So named for a Captain Savage, of Truro, who died while his vessel was lying there. He was buried in the sand on the shore. His vessel the "Betty" was said to have been cast ashore near here.. (See Point Betty Island).
SAVAGE'S ISLAND (Col.)—Here is an old Micmac burying ground and wooden monument, marking the Redman's last resting place; this is the reason for its name.
​SAVALLETTE PORT (G.)—Named by Champlain after a Basque shipmaster. It is now called "Whitehaven."
SAVARY BROOK (D.)—So called after an early settler named Nathan Savary.
SAW-MILL BROOK (P.)—The Indian name of this place, meaning "Saw-mill Brook," was Nawegunichk."
The first settler was William Kennedy, who built a mill here—hence the name. The mill is said to have been the first frame building erected in Pictou County. It was built in 1769. Kennedy came from Truro.
SCATARI—It is so spelled in a pamphlet on Cape Breton, dated 1746. Formerly called "Little Cape Breton." Called "Ponchartrain" on some old French maps. It is probably a corruption of a European name; although finding it called "Secetere" on very old maps it presumably means "dry land." There is a little island at the mouth of the Shannon River in Ireland named "Scattery."
SCHNORE (H.)—After a family of residents of this name.
SCHOONER POND (C. B.)—Received its present name owing to a certain schooner having been lost on its dangerous shore. Sometimes called Big Glace Bay-called by the early French "Bay de Charbon" i. e., "Coal Bay."
SCOTCH OR SCOTTS FORT (A.)—So named in 1628. It was built by Sir William Alexander's son and a party of Scotch immigrants.
SCOTCH HILL (P.)—See Lyons Brook.
SCOTSBURN (P.)—Formerly called Rogers Hill (see) and given its present name by an Act of Parliament passed in the year 1867.
SCOTSVILLE (I.)—Formerly "Outlet of Lake Ainsley," named by its residents who are sons of, or descendants of sons of old Scotland. Received its present name in April 1883.
SCOTT'S BAY (K.)—So called owing to some Scotch immigrants having been wrecked at this place, on their way to settle at Cap d'Or, about the year 1764. They remained there for some time, but eventually moved elsewhere.
​SCOTT'S ISLAND (Y.)—This place received its name from its earliest settler, Moses Scott who settled there in the year 1763, he came from Fitchburg, Mass.
SCRAGGY LAKE (H.)—One of the Tangier River Lakes. The Indians called it "Misegumisk," meaning "scraggy and rough.'
SCULPIN HARBOR (G.)—The Indian name was "Chulokwegook," meaning the "Sculpin."
SEABRIGHT (H.)—This place was at one time known as "Hubley Settlement." In 1901 it was changed to Hubley." The Act was amended in 1902 changing the name to "Seabright."
SEAL ISLANDS (Y.)—These islands were named by Samuel Le Sieur Champlain who accompanied DeMonts in 1604. The explorers found an abundance of seals and named the islands "Isle aux Loups Martins," or "Island of Seals."
SEA VIEW (R.)—Was formerly known as "Sporting Mountain," received its present name by an Act of Parliament in the year 1890.
SECCOMBE ISLAND (L.)—Named after the Rev. John Seccombe, from Medford, Massachusetts, who came here in the year 1708, and lived on the island for some years.
SECOND LAKE (Q.)—See Liverpool (Q.)
See Port Medway (Q.)
See Tangier (H).
SELMAH (Hts.)—This place was first settled by the French, who were driven out by the English in 1755. A Mr. Salter of Halifax was granted 2500 acres in 1765. He sold it in 1785 to General Small, who, after the American Revolution, settled Kennetcook and other districts with American soldiers. General Small's home estate was known as "Selma." Some person added the "h."
There is a city in Alabama of this name; the spelling is "Selma."
SEVEN-PENCE HA'PENNY BRANCH (D.)—Said to be so named because a coin of that denomination was found on its bank.
SHAG BAY AND HEAD (H.), SHAG ROCK (C. B.)—After a wild sea-bird of this name which frequented the Bay.
SHEEHAN LAKE (H.)—Named after a family of early residents.
​SHEET HARBOR (H.)—The Indian name for this place was "Weijooik," which means "running crazily, spreading every way. There is a small stream running into Sheet Harbor which the Indians called "Kajoogwajek," meaning "the place where gold thread grows."
SHEET HARBOR LAKE (H.)—This place was named by the Indians "Punakade," meaning "the place of bringing forth."
SHEFFIELD VAULT (K.)—A brook flowing into Minas Channel, named so because it has comparatively waterless channels called vaults.
SHELBURNE—Bay, Harbor and Town. In 1765 Alexander McNutt applied for a charter to found a city which he called "New Jerusalem. This is now "Shelburne." It was so named by Governor Parr on the 22nd day of July, 1783, in honor of the Earl of Shelburne, Secretary of State. It is said that as the Governor named the place, the flag-staff which stood on Stanhope Hill, on which the British colors were flying, fell to the ground.
Over 5,000 United Empire Loyalists, principally from New York, settled here in 1783. The Town grew at an astonishing pace and it is interesting to note that at one time it had a larger population than Quebec and Montreal combined. The Indian name for this place was "Sogumkeegun," meaning "a short cut through a sandy bar."
Shelburne was formed into a county about the year 1799; it is divided into two Townships, Shelburne and Barrington. In 1836 the County was divided, part of Shelburne going into Yarmouth County. This county contains 948 square miles.
Shelburne Harbor was at one time called Port Razoir by the French and Port Roseway by the English.
SHENACADIE (C. B.)—The Indian name was "Soonakadde," meaning "the place of cranberries." The name appears on old maps as "Sunakady."
SHERBROOKE (G.)—Named after Sir John Coape Sherbrooke, Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia (1811-1816). Governor-General of Canada (1816-1818).
Le Girandiere had a farming place and a small fort, afterwards a fishing and fur-trading station, at the head of Chedabucto Bay, now Sherbrooke; doubtful date, but previous to 1659.
SHERBROOKE LAKE (L.)—(See Sherbrooke.)
SHINIMICAS (C.)—This is said to be an Indian name meaning "Shining River."
​SHIP HARBOR (H.)—The Indians called the place "Tedumuna-Boogwek," meaning "a water-worn rock," or "blunt harbor." Ship Harbor Lake was named by the Indians "Wagwosk," meaning "the end."
SHOAL BAY (H.)—A small bay on the Tangier Riyer, called by the Indians "Wospegeak," meaning "the sunshine is reflected from the water."
SHOOK POINT (D.)—So named after a first settler Deacon Shook.
SHUBENACADIE (Hts.)—Indian name "Segunbunakadie,' meaning "the place where the ground nut or Segubun (the Micmac potato) grows." In 1724 the spelling was "Shickabenacadie."
Near Shubenacadie River is a place called "Kitpoo-aykaddy," meaning "the place of eagles." This place was also called at one time "Shepondie." Very old grants give the name of this place as "Chicabenacadie." The Indians called the Shubenacadie River "Agekade."
SHULIE (C.)—Sometimes spelled "Shulee" or "Shoulie." Derivation not definitely known, but the pronunciation of some of the early French settlers leads to the theory that it is a corruption of the French word "joli,"-(pronounced "sholee")-meaning "pretty."
It was a favorite shad fishing harbor for the French.
SHURTLEFF'S POINT (Y.)—This place was named after an early settler, Henry Shurtleff.
SIEMENS (Col.)—Formerly "Acadia Mines," changed by an Act of Parliament to this name in 1877.
SILVER CRAIG (C.)—So called owing to the brightness of the gypsum cliffs when the sun shines upon them.
SILVER LAKE (Q.)—So called from the white appearance of the water: this is owing to the lake being situated between high lands and the bottom being of a whitish cast.
SISSIBOU—A western Nova Scotia River. The name is Micmac for "Big River"-the same as "Cibou." It was given to this river because it is said to discharge the largest body of fresh water of any river in the Province.
There is a legend that the name is derived from the French word for "six" and the Indian word "hibou" (an owl) as the story says there were six owls found there by the first discoverers.
​SIXTH LAKE (Q.)—See Liverpool.
SIX MILE BROOK (P.)—Given this name because it was six miles from the place the old Cobequid Road started to the point where this brook crosses the road.
SKIR DHU (V.)—This is a Gaelic name, meaning "Black Rock."
SLAB TOWN (Col.)—See Hilden.
SLATE MOUNTAIN (C. B.)—The Indian name was "Keneskwotpat," meaning "having a peaked head." A brook near by was named by the Indians "Egogek," meaning "next to the woods."
SLAUGHENWHITE POINT (H.)—One time called "Oakland." Received its present name from Captain P. F. Shortland, R. N., 1864, and is a common family name about St. Margaret's Bay.
SLOANE POINT (L.)—Named after an Irish settler named John Sloane, who came from Lower Dublin
SLOIS A BHROCHAN (V.)—(See New Harris). "Slois" is the Gaelic for place or countryside. "Bhrochan" is the Gaelic for gruel, or very thin porridge. The name was a derisive one and the Scotch settlers have recently changed it to "New Harris," likely their former home in Scotland. It is on the Great Bras d'Or Strait.
SMASHEMS HEAD (P.)—An early Robertson Island settler named Robert Stewart was known as "smashem" owing to this being a favorite expression of his in describing battle scenes.
SMELT BROOK (C. B.)—A brook in North Sydney originally known as "Sparling Brook" after an early land owner, but unfortunately changed to its present name.
SMITH COVE (G.)—The Indian name for this place was "Segegueegunk."
SMITH ISLAND (PORT HOOD) (I.)—The name given to the Inner Port Hood Island, named in honor of the first settler John Smith, who settled in Port Hood in 1789.
SMITH MOUNTAIN (V.)—Near Cape Dauphin. These high hills were at one time known as "Les Quatres Fils d'Aymon," which was the title of a French Medieval Prose Romance.
​SMOKEY (V.)—See Cape Smokey.
SOLDIERS' COVE (R.)—The St. Georges Channel was at one time known as Soldiers' Gulf, the name was evidently retained as the name of this cove.
SOULIS COVE (D.)—So named in honor of an early settler. Daniel Soulis.
SOUTH BAR (C. B.)—The village was known as Victoria Pier. The Bar extends into Sydney Harbor opposite North Bar forming a splendid breakwater. Was one time called "Guion's Bar." Was fortified in 1794 and known as "Fort Edward."
SOUTHAMPTON (C.)—The old name for this place was "Maccan." (See). A portion of Maccan was given the above name in honor of the English seaport city of the same name by an Act of Parliament passed in the year 1872.
SOUTH HEAD (C. B.)—South Head, Cow Bay, appears on the maps of 1829 as "Murgain."
SOUTHVILLE (A.)—This place was formerly known as Negro Line; it was changed to its present name by an Act of Parliament in 1891.
SOUTHVILLE (D.)—Formerly known as "Duck Pond." First settled in 1827 by Gilbert Crossett. This place was also called New Salem.
SPECTACLE ISLANDS (L.)—These two islands are connected by a narrow sand bar, which suggested the name.
SPENCER ISLAND (C.)—The Indian name for this island was "Wochuk" meaning "a small kettle or pot."
SPLIT (Y.)—See Cape Split.
SPRINGFIELD (D.)—This place was formerly called "Sunrise."
SPRINGFIELD (A.)—This place was at one time known as "Grinton Settlement." (See).
SPRINGHILL (C.)—This town is situated on a hill, and has excellent natural water springs, which gives reason for the name.
The earliest settlers were families named Hunter, Gilroy, Anderson, Boss, Mills and others.
Coal was discovered here in 1834 by a man named Lodovick Hunter.
​SPRINGVILLE (P.)—Settled about 1780 by John Fraser and some others. An extremely large spring which issues from the foot of a hill in this locality suggested the name.
SPRY BAY (H.)—The Indian name for this place was "Kwemoodetc" meaning "the little loon place."
SPRY HARBOR (H.)—The Indian name of the smaller harbor was "Kwemodetc," meaning "the little loon place." The larger harbor was called by them "Sebimkooaak" meaning "a bog extending across." The name of this harbor appears on some old maps as "Winchelsea Harbor" named after one of the Cinque ports in Sussex on the English Channel.
SPRY HEAD (H.)—The Indian name for Cape Spry was "Noogoomkegawaachk," meaning "a small place of soft sand."
STANFORD LAKE (L.)—This lake is named after a Mr. John Stanford, an English settler who arrived in Chester about 1845, where he established a tannery.
STANLEY (Hts.)—This settlement was a portion of Douglas Township. It was given its present name by an Act of Parliament passed in 1872, in honor of Frederick Arthur Stanley, the Earl of Derby who was Governor-General of Canada 1888-1893.
STANWOOD BEACH (Y.)—Named after a family of Stanwoods who were the first settlers there.
STARR POINT (K.)—The Indian name for this place was "Nesoogwitk," meaning "lying on the water between two other points.
The French called the place "Boudrobank." The present name is from a family named Starr.
STEEL ISLAND (Col.)—Named after a family of early settlers of this name. The late Frank Steel used to relate that he found a large number of human bones on the beach of this island.
STELLARTON (P.)—So named after a singular bed of coal known as "Stellar" or "oil" coal, so called from its peculiar scintillations in burning, and for its yield of oil.
STERLING (Col.)—One of the four township divisions of Colchester County.
STEWARTDALE (I.)—So named by an Act of Parliament in 1884.
​STEWART ISLAND (Col.)—This island is named after a Stewart family, but is known by various names. On the charts it is known as "War Island." In ship-building days owing to oak growing upon it it was known as "Shipyard Island," and for the same reason sometimes called "Oak Island."
STEWIACKE (Col.)—Mentioned in 1759. The name is from the Indian word "Siktaweak" or "Esiktaweak," meaning "oozing from dead water." It appears in 1816 as "Sewack."
The first settler was a William Kennedy who came from New England in 1780. He came to Stewiacke from Pictou County where he had a mill at what was long known as "Kennedy's Hill."
The meaning of the word "Siktaweak" is found in another authority as meaning "Whimpering or whining as it goes out."
The Indians called a branch of the Stewiacke River "Wedakunak," meaning "long sea-weed or kelp," and another small branch they named "Pepkuse."
STIRLING (C. B.)—A mining village in Glace Bay. (See Stirling).
STIRLING (R.)—Named by the settlers of Scottish origin in honor of the Royal burgh, the capital of Stirlingshire, Scotland. The place was first settled in the year 1830.
STORMONT (G.)—This place was settled by parts of Carolina Regiments, in the year 1783. They built a small town and named it "Stormont." This name is also given to the Township.
ST. ANDREW (Ant.)—One of the four Townships of the County of Antigonish, named in honor of the Scotch Saint.
ST. ANDREW CHANNEL (C. B.), ST. GEORGE CHANNEL (R.), ST. PATRICK CHANNEL (V.)—Three important divisions of the Bras d'Or Lakes, named in honor of the Scotch, English and Irish settlers.
St. Andrew and St. Patrick Townships were the subdivisions, if we include Sydney, of Cape Breton. They were formed into Townships in the year 1821.
St. Andrew Channel is now generally known as "East Bay."
St. George Channel was at one time called "Soldiers' Gulf."
ST. ANDREW RIVER (Col.)—The old Indian name for this river in Colchester Harbor was "Wesunawan," meaning "castor place."
ST. ANN (V.)—At one time named "Port des baleines," or "port of whales." A Scotchman named James Stuart built a fort ​here in 1629. In 1710 the place was called "Port Dauphin," a name still given to the Cape. The Indian name for the bay was "Great Cibou," and for the village "M'tleegalitek."
A Frenchman named Captain Daniels is supposed to have first given it the name of "St. Ann" in honor of St. Ann the Mother of Mary the Mother of Jesus. Daniels captured the English settlers and carried them to Falmouth and some of them to France. In 1713 St. Ovide changed the name St. Anne's to Port Dauphin, but the name given it by Daniels survived.
The northern arm of St Annes Harbor was for years known as "Rouville River," after a French Captain of Infantry of some consequence named M. de Rouville, who evidently had received a grant here. Rouville made application for a grant of "Niganiche" (Ingonish), but without success.
ST. COLUMBO (C. B.)—Named in honor of "The Apostle of Caledonia," who founded the Monastery at Iona. This name was given it and an Act of Parliament passed confirming it in 1903. The former name of the settlement was "Grand Narrows Rear."
ST. ESPRIT (R.)—There was a French Order "Saint Esprit" founded by Henry III in the 16th century. "Esprit" is French from the Latin "spiritus," meaning "spirit." The prefix "St." is rather a puzzle. The French also knew this place as "rade foreine," which signifies that trading vessels could have access to it only at particular times of the year.
The Indian name for this place was "Asukadite," meaning "the place of clams."
ST. FRANCIS (G.)—Formerly known as "Goose Harbor" changed in 1871 to the present name.
ST. FRANCIS XAVIER COLLEGE—See Antigonish.
ST. GEORGE CHANNEL (R.)—See St. Andrew's Channel.
ST. GEORGE'S BAY (Ant.)—See George.
ST. MARGARET'S BAY (H.)—Named by Champlain in 1631, "Le Port Saincte Marguerite."
A number of people came here from Lunenburg in 1783 and settled permanently.
ST. MARYS (G.)—One of the three Townships of Guysborough. Was formed into a township in 1818.
The Indian name for the river was "Naboosakun," meaning "a bead string." It takes its present name from St. Mary's Bay. (See).
​ST. MARY'S BAY (D.)—Named by De Monts in 1604 "La Baie Saincte Marie." The Indians called this bay "Wagweiik," meaning "the end."
There is a large cove in the bay that the Indians named "Weskabok," meaning "salt water."
ST. MARY'S RIVER FORKS (P.)—This junction the Indians named "Mimnogun," or Nimnogum," meaning "a black birch tree."
ST. PATRICK'S CHANNEL (V.)—(See St. Andrew's Channel.)
ST. PAUL ISLAND—Called so by Cabot in 1535-36. It was at one time called the "Island of Monego." The Indians called the island "Kewtuminege," meaning "the round island."
ST. PETER'S (R.)—The Indian name was "Baslova-akade." The Portuguese called it "San Pedro." The French in 1713 named it "Port Toulouse," after Comte de Toulouse, the illegitimate son of Louis Quatorze and Madame de Montespan. Denys settled it in 1755, and he named it "St. Pierre," (St. Peter's).
The spelling of the Indian name is very similar to that of the Indian name for Cape Traverse in Prince Edward Island, which is "Bouselooa," meaning "to travel by water," and as it was the resting place and portage for the natives in their travels from the lakes to the ocean, it is very likely the same word, or a variation of it.
Near here is a mount which in the year 1790 appears in several records as Mount Grenville; there was a redoubt here and eight guns mounted. It was named in honor of Grenville who was in 1790 English Secretary of State.
ST. PETER'S ISLAND (R.)—Named after the place and bay. (See). It was named "Isle Vert" by Nicholas Denys.
STRATHLORNE (I.)—Formerly known as Broad Cove Interval, named by a local lady in 1879, in honor of the Marquis of Lorne. "Strath" is a Gaelic word, meaning "a broad valley" and is often used in Scotch place-names.
STRATHMORE (Ant.)—This was formerly known as North Grant Settlement, was given its present name by an Act of Parliament in the year 1888. "Strathmore" means "a great valley." (See Strathlorne.)
STRICKLAND'S COVE (D.)—This cove is named after a family of Stricklands who settled here; they came from Weymouth, Massachusetts.
​ST. ROSE (I.)—Formerly known as "Broad Cove Ponds." By an Act of Parliament in 1891 changed to its present name.
ST. SAUVER PORT—On the Island named Mount Desert, called by the Indians "Pemetig." At one time called "Mount Deserts." It was given its present name in 1613.
STRONACH (K.)—A section of the North Mountain named after an early settler, George Stronach, who came from Glasgow, Scotland.
SUGAR LOAF (C.)—This place was named by the Micmac Indians "Keneskwoktuk," meaning "a pointed mountain."
SUGAR LOAF (V.)—Near Cape North. This descriptive name occurs in various counties. The Micmac Indian name was "Squa-dichk," meaning "the highest point."
SUMMERSIDE (Ant.)—So named by an Act of Parliament in the year 1869.
SUMMERVILLE (Hts.)—The Indians called part of this place including a creek, "Achegechk."
SUNNYSIDE (R.)—Formerly known as "Bear Island" and again as "McPherson's Ferry." Changed by an Act of Parliament in 1894 to its present name.
SURETTE ISLAND (Y.)—Named after Frederick Surrett, who with some others settled on the island (859 acres) about 1812.
SUTHERLAND COVE (C. B.)—On the eastern side of Sydney River, about three miles from Sydney, named after an early settler a Scotch Presbyterian named George Sutherland.
SUTHERLAND ISLAND (P.)—(See Sutherland River). The Indian name for this island was "Coondawaakade," meaning "a stone quarry."
SUTHERLAND LAKE (K.)—A small lake named after a Mr. Kenneth Sutherland, whose home was near by.
SUTHERLAND RIVER (P.)—This received its name from a Scotchman named John Sutherland, who was a passenger on the "Hector," and who settled near it in the year 1785.
SWEET'S CORNER (Hts.)—First settled by families named Dill, Cochran, Hunter and Sweet. One Sweet had a grocery store here at one time (about 1840). The place was named after him.
​SWIVEL POINT (C. B.)—The point of land near Cranberry Head on the northern side of Sydney Harbor, so named because it is the swivel or turning point for vessels coming from the Bras d'Or Lakes to the Sydneys, or vice versa.
SYDNEY (C. B.)—The Indian name was "Cibou." Captain Leigh in a voyage away back in 1597 cast anchor in the River of Cape Breton (Sydney) on the 24th day of June. He said the savages told him the harbor was "Cibo." Dr. Rand spells the Indian name "Seboo" and gives its meaning as "river." It would then appear to be a name applicable to any river.
Champlain's map of Cape Breton dated 1632, calls Sydney Harbor "Gran Sibou," meaning "Great River." Historian Brown suggests that St. Ann's Bay may have been originally "Cibou" and Sydney "Gran-Sibou" as both names appear.
The Indians called Sydney River "Ulsebook," meaning "little river."
Previous to 1783 it was known as "Baie de Espagnol" or "Spanish River." In 1783 it was given its present name in honor of the Honorable Thomas Townshend, the first Viscount Sydney. It is said that at this time Governor Desbarres suggested the place be named "Pittsburgh."
In 1788 Sydney Harbor was named "Prince William Henry Sound," by Governor McCormick, in honor of King William IV. The name appears in many old documents, but did not survive.
It was founded in 1784; the first settler was an Irishman named John Meloney.
It was the seat of the Local Government until 1820, was incorporated as a town in 1886 and as a city in 1904.
SYDNEY FORKS (C. B.)—This place the Indians named "Natwagemk."
SYDNEY MINES (C. B.)—In 1820-30 Sydney Mines was known as "The Mines." It was incorporated as a town in 1890.