Matsumae clan
The island was known as "Todomoshiri" ("island of sea lions") by its original Ainu inhabitants. It came under the "daimyō" of Matsumae clan in the 18th century and was known as Ishiyokotan; it got its current European name from a visit of the French navigator La Perouse, who named it Moneron after Paul Mérault Monneron, the chief engineer of his expedition.