The Origin and History of the Name Canada By Susan Munroe Updated October 18, 2016. The name "Canada" comes from "kanata," the Iroquois-Huron word for village. Aboriginal people used the word to describe the village of Stadacona (present-day Quebec City) to French explorer Jacques Cartier during his trip along the St. Lawrence River in 1535. Cartier used the word Canada to refer to both the settlement of Stadacona as well as the surrounding area, which was then under the purview of Iroquois Chief Donnacona. By 1547, maps were showing the name Canada applied to everything north of the St. Lawrence River. Cartier referred to the St. Lawrence River as the "riviere du Canada" and the name began to take hold. Even though the French called the region New France, by 1616 the area along the great river of Canada and the Gulf of St. Lawrence was still called Canada.

As the country expanded to the west and the south in the 1700s, "Canada" was the unofficial name of an area spanning the American midwest, extending as far south as what is now the state of Louisiana. After the British conquered New France in 1763, the colony was renamed the Province of Quebec. As British loyalists began heading north during and after the American Revolutionary War, Quebec was divided into two separate parts. Canada Becomes Official In 1791, the Constitutional Act, also called the Canada Act, divided the Province of Quebec into the colonies of Upper Canada and Lower Canada. This marked the first official use of the name Canada. In 1841, the two Quebecs were united again, this time as the Province of Canada. On July 1, 1867, the Confederation Convention formally combined the Province of Canada, which included Quebec and Ontario, with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as "one Dominion under the name of Canada." July 1 is still celebrated as Canada Day. Other Names Considered for Canada Canada wasn't the only name considered for the new dominion, although it was ultimately chosen by unanimous vote at the Confederation Convention.

Several other names were suggested leading up to Confederation, some of which were later repurposed elsewhere in the country. The list included Anglia (a medieval Latin name for England), Albertsland, Albionora, Borealia, Britannia, Cabotia, Colonia, and Efisga, which was an acronym for the first letters of the countries England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, with the "A" for "Aboriginal." Other names floated for consideration were Hochelaga, Laurentia (a geological name for part of North America), Norland, Superior, Transatlantia, Victorialand and Tuponia, an acronym of sorts for The United Provinces of North America. The Dominion of Canada The "Dominion" part of the name was decided on instead of "kingdom," to denote that Canada was under British rule but was still its own separate entity. After World War II, as Canada became more autonomous, the full name "Dominion of Canada" was used less and less. The country's name was officially amended to simply "Canada" in 1982 when the Canada Act was passed, and it's been known by that name ever since. What Does "Canada" Mean?

What Does "Canada" Mean? Tweet The word "Canada" is derived from the Iroquois word for "village." An expedition up the St. Lawrence River led by Jacques Cartier picked up the name from Iroquois who were pointing out the way to Stadacona, a St. Lawrence Iroquoian village located near modern-day Quebec City. Cartier marked the St. Lawrence River as the "rivière du Canada" on maps, and the name eventually became applied to all the areas north of the St. Lawrence River. More facts about Canada: Many areas in Canada have names that are variations on aboriginal terms. For instance, Ontario is derived from the Huron term for "beautiful water or lake," Quebec comes from a Mi'kmaq term for "narrows," and Saskatchewan comes from the Cree word for "swift flowing river." There used to be two Canadas: Upper Canada and Lower Canada. The two were united as a British colony called the Province of Canada in 1841, and the name Canada was legally adopted for the country on July 1, 1867.

One suggested alternative for the country's name was "Tuponia," which stood for "The United Provinces of North America." Other suggested names were Colonia, Cabotia and Mesopelagia. A History of the Town of Queensbury, by A. W. Holden, M.D. - Chapter II: Vocabulary of Indian Names A History of the Town of Queensbury, A. W. Holden, M.D. Chapter II: Vocabulary of Indian Names This transcription was produced through the use of Readiris Pro 11 OCR software. Contributed by Tim Varney. PRELIMINARY REMARKS. Page 23 The wilderness and lake region of Northern New York, was the common hunting ground for various tribes, where, during the unknown centuries preceding the discovery of the New World, divergent nationalities redressed their grievances and wrought out their forest feuds to their bitter end. It therefore naturally followed that the more important and often visited localities, would be honored by two or more names, having varying significations according to the accidents and events, often of a transitory character, from which they were derived.

The corruptions and changes which the Indian terminology has undergone in its transitions through the not over grammatical speech of Dutch, French and Yankee traders and adventurers, have contributed largely to impede the labors of the ethnologist, and added difficulties in the way of reaching just conclusions as to the derivation and meaning of words. To harmonize and systematize this nomenclature has been utterly impossible, and therefore in each case authorities and references have been given, leaving the reader to his own inferences, and devolving upon the originals the responsibility of errors and mistakes. Where two or more authorities have differed, I have usually taken those nearest the sources from which the names were derived. Until within a comparatively recent period, there were two noted Indians of the St. Francis tribe, who had their homes and hunting grounds in the great Adirondack wilderness. Their names were Sabele and Sabattis, and over a quarter of a century ago, they were severally reputed to be upwards of a hundred years old, both hale, and with wonderful memories of the past. From them years ago were obtained a portion of the names included Page 24 in the following list, which with two exceptions are now given to the public for the first time.

In the few instances where exact references are not given, the memoranda have been mislaid. ABENAKIS, ABENAKIES. - A name according to Drake signifying "Men of the East," and originally or formerly applied to all the tribes on the coast of the continent, but afterwards restricted to the Aborigines inhabiting Nova Scotia, the territory embraced in the present state of Maine, and a part of Canada. - Early Jesuit Missions by Rt. Rev. Wm. I. Kip. According to Schoolcraft the name signifies "the east land, or place of light." The St. Francis Indians who occupied so conspicuous a place in our border annals during the old French war, were an offshoot or colony of this tribe. Sabele and Sabattis, some of whose descendants ate still living in the northern wilderness, were also of this clan or sub-tribe. ADAGEGTINGE, ADAGUGHTINGAG. - A brook in Davenport, Delaware Co., N. Y., one of the tributaries of the Susquehanna. - Calendar of N. Y. Land Papers, pp. 490, 497. ADIQUITANGE.

- A branch of the Susquehanna river in Kortright, Delaware County, N. Y. (probably the same stream named above). - Calendar of N. Y. Land Papers, p. 487. ADIRONDACK. - Tree Eaters. A name given in derision to the Algonquins by the Iroquois. - See Colonial Hist. N. Y., vol. IV, p. 899. ADIRONDACK. - A once powerful tribe of Indians of this name dwelt along the Canada shore of the St. Lawrence river. According to Schoolcraft the name signifies "Bark-Eaters." It was a detachment of this tribe, headed by two distinguished chiefs Yroquet and Ochasteguin, that accompanied, Samuel Champlain in his first voyage of discovery through the lake that bears his name, and fought a battle with a party of Iroquois on the headland at Ticonderoga. AGANUSCHION. - "Black mountain range, as the Indians called this Adirondac group." - Lossing's Hudson, etc. Vide Aquanuschioni. AGIOGOCHOOK.

- The White mountains of New Hampshire, of which the English name is a literal translation. ALLNAPOOKNAPUS. - Indian lake in the northern wilderness. - Sabele. ANDIATOROCTE. - The place where the lake contracts. A name applied to Lake George. - Dr. O'Callaghan's New Netherland. AONEO. - An island. Onondaga. A term applied by that clan to the whole western continent, which their traditions state was expanded from the shell of a tortoise. - Schoolcraft's Notes, p. 61. Page 25 AONTAGILBAN. - A creek which empties into Fish creek, Saratoga county. Taken from "map No. 221, of the late Fish creek reservation in 1706." - Sec. of State's office. APALACHIAN. - Endless mountains. - O'Callaghan, Doc. Hist. N. Y., II, 702. This is the true Indian name of the great Alleghany range. AQUANUSCHIONI. - The united people. A name by which the Iroquois designated themselves.

- Drake's Book of the Indians, v. 4. AREYUNA. - Green rocks. Tupper's lake. - C. F. Hoffman. Vigil of Faith. ASTORENGA. - The name of the hills at Little Falls. - Schoolcraft's Notes on the Iroquois, 78. ATALAPOSE. - A sliding place. Roger's rock on Lake George. The Indians have a singular superstition, that the witches or evil spirits haunt this place, and seizing upon the spirits of bad Indians, on their way to the happy hunting grounds, slide down the precipitous cliff with them into the lake where they are drowned. - Sabattis. ATATEA. - (See Cohatatea). A river. The upper Hudson. - Charles Fenno Hoffman. ATTIGOUANTON. - Lake Huron. - Murray's British America, I, 150. BONTOOKEESE. - Little Falls at Luzerne on the Hudson. - Sabele. CAHOHATATEA. - Iroquois. The North or Hudson river. - Dr. Mitchill, quoted in Annals of Albany, II, 233.

CANADA. - From Kanata, a village. - Dr. F. B. Hough. Josselyn, an early colonial writer, derives this from Can, mouth, and Ada, country. - Drake's Book of the Indians, I, 23. CANARAGE. - The St. Lawrence river. - Macauley's Hist. N .Y., I, 98. CANASHAGALA. - An Indian name of a clearing on a south branch of Moose river near Moose lake in Hamilton Co., N. Y. - Simms's Trappers, 188. CANIADERI GUARUNTE. - A name applied to Lake Champlain. The door or gate of the country. See Canada. - T. Pownal's Map and Topographical Description. CANIADERI OIT. - The tail of the lake i. e., of Lake Champlain. - Ibid. Also Spafford's Gazetteer, p. 200. CANKUSKEE. - North-West bay on Lake George. So named on a Map of the Middle British Provinces, London, 1776. See Ganaouske.

CANNEOGAHAKALONONITADE. - The Mohawk river. - Dr. Mitchill, Annals of Albany, II, 233. CANNIUSKUTTY. - A creek. A tributary of the Delaware river. - Calendar of N. Y. Land Papers, p. 501. CATARAKOUI. - Iroquois. Great or big lake (vide Cataraqui). - Colonial Hist. of N. Y., vol. x, p. 503. CATARAQUI. - The St. Lawrence river, signifying a fort in the water. Dr. Hough states that Cataroqui, is the ancient name of Kingston, a bank of clay rising out of the waters. - Hist. St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, 181. Page 26 CAUGHNAWAGA. - Cook the kettle. - Doc. Hist. of N. Y., III, 1108. The name of one of the Mohawk villages, and afterwards applied to a colony or tribe of praying Indians, converts from the Iroquois.

Gallatin in his synopsis supposes it to be derived from Coughnuhwoh her leh, a Mohawk word signifying rapids. CAYWANOOT. - Isola Bella. The residence of the late Col. Ireland in Schroon lake. - Lossing's Hudson, 52. CHATIEMAC. - The stately swan. One of the names of the Hudson. Schoolcraft, The Indian in his Wigwam, 122. CHEONDEROGA. - Signifying three rivers, one of the many names of Ticonderoga. From a map by T. Pownal, M. P., Lond., 1176. CHEPONTUC. - A difficult place to climb or get around. An Indian name of Glen's Falls. - Sabattis. CHICOPEE. - A large spring. An Indian name of Saratoga Springs. - Sabattis. CHOUENDABOWA. - Clifton Park, Saratoga Co., N. Y. - Catalogue of Maps in State Library, p. 205. COHATATEAH. - Another Indian name of the Hudson. - A. B.

Street. COHETABA. Iroquois name of the Hudson.- Gordon's Gazetteer of N. Y: COHOES. - From Cahoos, a canoe falling. - Brant. Spafford's Gazetteer of N. Y., p. 170. Morgan in his League of the Iroquois, has it Gahahoose. CONGAMMUCK. - The lower Saranac lake. - Sabattis. CONNESTIGUNE. - Hence Niskayuna. A field covered with corn. - Gordon's Gazetteer. CONNUGHHARIEGUGHHARIE. - A great multitude gathered together, Mohawk name for Schenectady. - Stone's Life of Red Jacket, p. 5. COOS or COWHASS. - The white pine. - Dr. Fitch. Applied to a region of country in the northern part of New Hampshire, sometimes named as the upper and lower Coos or pine regions. CORLAR. - Lake Champlain was known to the Dutch by this name, and also as the lake of the Iroquois. COSSAYUNA. - The lake at our pines.

Indian name of a sheet of water in Argyle, N. Y. - Vide Dr. Fitch's Hist. Survey of Washington County, in Trans. N. Y. S. Agricultural Soc. For 1849. COUCHSACHRAGA. - The great dismal wilderness. An Indian term applied to the still wild and unsettled region north of the Mohawk, and west of Lakes Champlain and George. - Pownal's Topographical Description. COUXSACHRAGA. - "Their hunting grounds (i. e. the Iroquois), are first Coxsachraga, a triangle lying on the south-east side of Canada, or St. Lawrence river, bounded eastward by Saragtoga, and the drowned lands; northward by a line from Regiochue point (on Lake Champlain, or as the Indians call it; Caniaderiguarunte, the Page 27 lake that is the gate of the country), through the Cloven rock on the same lake to Oswegatchie or la Galette; south-westward by the dwelling land of the Mohawks, Oneidas and Tuscaroras." - Pownal on Colonies, vol.

I, p. 267, Lond., 1774. DIONONDEHOWA. - The lower falls on the Battenkill river near and above the devil's caldron, Galesville, N. Y. - Dr. Fitch's Hist. Survey of Washington County. Also see Calendar of Land Titles, p. 204. ERIE. - "The Agoneaseah (Iroquois), anciently called this Lake Kan-ha-gwa-rah-ka, i. e., a cap, and latterly Erie, Erige, or Erike, which, according to Hennepin signifies Cats-eye." - Macauley's Hist. N. Y., vol. I, p. 119. Morse in his large Geography defines it as the lake of the Cats. GAISHTINIC. - The Minci name for Albany. - H. R. Schoolcraft. GANAOUSKE. - North West bay on Lake George. - Colonial Hist. N. Y., vol. x, p. 600. Judging from analogy, this should mean the battle place by the water side. GA-NA-SA-DA-GA, T.

- The St. Lawrence river. So named on Morgan's map of the Iroquois. - League of the Iroquois. GANOONOO. - The territory comprised in the state of New York. Dr. Hough, in his History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, has it Kanono. The word is Iroquois, and is defined elsewhere as meaning the whole state. GITCH IGOMEE. - Big Sea Water. The Algonquin name for Lake Superior. - Schoolcraft's Indian in his Wigwam, p. 303. GLEN'S FALLS. - Mentioned on a French map by M. de Levy published at Quebec, 1748, by the name of Chute de Quatrevignt, Pds. - Doc. Hist. N. Y., vol. I, p. 557. HOCHELAGA. - This name was applied by the Algonquins to the site now occupied by Montreal, and also to the St. Lawrence river. Hough suggests its derivation from Oserake, a beaver dam. - Hist. St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, p. 181.

HOOSACK. - The place of stones, i. e., a rocky or stony region. - Ruttenber's Indian Tribes, p. 376. It has also been defined as a basin or kettle. Indian tradition states that the last naked bear was killed at this point. HOUSATONIC. - A Mohegan compound, probably signifying the valley of the stream beyond the mountain. - H. R. Schoolcraft. HOUTKILL. - Dutch name of Wood creek. - Doc. Hist. of N. Y., vol. II, p.300. HUNCKSOOCK. - The place where everybody fights. A name given by the nomadic Indians of the north to the upper falls on the outlet of Lake George. - Sabattis. HURON. A French appellation bestowed upon the lake bearing this name and also to the tribe of Wyandots living on its banks - Schoolcraft. Page 28 INCAPAHCHO. - Lindenmere or the lake of basswoods. The Indian name of Long lake. - The Vigil of Faith by C. F. Hoffman. IROCOSIA. - The land of the Iroquois.

Northern New York. This term frequently recurs on the older maps and charts of the state. IRONDEQUOIT. - Derived from a Mohawk term signifying an opening into or from a lake. - Colonial History N. Y., vol. IX, p. 261. KAHCHEBONCOOK. - The Big Falls on the Hudson, known as Jessup's falls. - Sobele. KAHCHOQUAHNA. - The place where they dip fish. An Indian term applied to the head of Lake Champlain, the site of the present village of Whitehall. - Gordon's Gazetteer N. Y., p. 758. KANIADAROSSERAS. - Hence Kayaderosseras, the lake country. - Colonial Hist. N. Y., vol. VII, p. 436. KASKONGSHADI. - Broken water, a swift rapid on the Opalescent river. - Lossing's Hudson, p. 33. KAYADEROGA. - A name of Saratoga lake. - Butler's Lake George, etc. KAYADEROSSERAS.

- A name applied to a large patent or land grant, a stream and a range of mountains in Saratoga county, N. Y. In the Calendar of N. Y. Land Papers, it is variously written Caniaderosseros, Caneaderosseras, Kanyaderossaros, Cayaderosseras. In a letter to the author from the late Judge Hay, he says "Geo G. Scott informs me that his father always stated that Kayaderosseras being interpreted meant the crooked stream, which describes it." KENNYETTO. - The Indian name of the little Sacandaga or Vlaie creek, a tributary of the Sacandaga. - Simms's Trappers of New York. KILLOQUAH. - Rayed like the sun. Racket lake. From the Mohawk. Vigil of Faith by G. F. Hoffman. KINGIAQUAHTONEC. - A portage of a stone's throw or two in length between Wood creek and Fort Edward creek, near Moss street in Kingsbury. - Evans's Analysis, p. 19. KITCHIGAMMINK. - Great lake.

- Gallatin's Synopsi. See Gitch-Igomee. MAHAKANEGHTUC. - The Mohegan name of the Hudson. - Dr. Mitchill, quoted in Munsell's Annals of Albany, vol. II, p. 233. The name is given by numerous authorities with many varieties of spelling. MAIS TCHUSEAG. - Massachusetts? "The country on this side of the hills." - T. Pownal's Top. Descrip. N America, Lond., 1776. MAMMACOTTA. - Dividing the waters, hence Mamacating in Sullivan county. - Gordon's Gazetteer N. Y., p. 719. MASSACHUSETT. - A hill in the form of an arrow-head. - John Cotton as quoted in Drake's Book of the Indians. MASTAQUA. - The largest or longest river. A name applied to the Racket river . - Sabattis. Page 29 MATTEAWAN. - Derived from Metai, a magician or medicine man, and wian, a skin, the region of charmed furs or peltries.

A term applied to the highlands of the Hudson. - Brodhead's N. Y., p. 75. MESSACHIBIE. - Mississippi? The father of rivers. - T. Pownal's Top. Descrip, N. America. METTOWEE. - Indian name of the Pawlet river, Wash. Co., N. Y. - Fitch' s Hist. Survey. MICONACOOK. - A name of the Hudson river. - Sabele. MINI-SOTAH. - Turbid waters, hence Minnesota. - Drake's Book of the Indians. MISSISSIPPI. - The whole river. - Gallatin's Synopsis. MOHAWK. - From Mauqua or Mukwa, a bear. - Schoolcraft's Notes on the Iroquois, p. 73. MOHEGAN. - Mahegan, an Indian term signifying a wolf. - Col. Hist. N. Y., vol. IX, p. 38. MOOSPOTTENWACHO. - Thunder's nest. Indian name for Crane's mountain, in the western part of, and the highest peak in Warren county. - Sabele.

MUHHAAKUNNUK. - A great water or sea that is constantly in motion either ebbing or flowing. Hence the word Mohican, the name of the Stockbridge Indians. - Hoyt's Antiquarian Researches. NACHASSICKQUAACK. - A point above the falls on the Hoosick river. - New York Cal. of Land Papers, p. 27. NACHTENACK. - Waterford on the Hudson. - Ruttenber's Tribes, etc.,p. 399. NIAGARA. - From Ohniagahra, a neck or strait. - Spafford's Gazetteer of N. Y., p. 219. Goldsmith in his Miscellaneous Works, vol. IV, p. 39, note, defines it as meaning thunder waters. NISKAYUNA. - From Canestagione. The great corn country or place. - Ruttenber's Tribes of the Hudson's River, p. 398. See also vol. IV, p. 906, Col. Hist. N. Y., where it is spelled Canastagiowne and defined as the great maize land. OHIO.

The beautiful river. - Schoolcraft, the Indian in his Wigwam, p. 20. From Oyo the beautiful river. - Kip's Jesuit Missions. See also Col. Hist. N. Y., VIII, 117 and IX, 76, where Io is found to signify great or beautiful. OIOGUE. - The Indian (Mohawk) name of the Hudson north of Albany. - Hist. of New Netherland, II, 300. ONEADALOTE TECARNEODI. - The name of Lake Champlain on Morgan's map. ONDAWA. - White creek, Washington county, N. Y. ONDERIGUEGON. - The Indian name for the drowned lands on Wood creek near Fort Ann, Washington county, N. Y. It signifies conflux of waters. - From a Map of the Middle British Colonies by T. Pownal, .M. P., 1776. Page 30 ONGWEHONWE. - A people surpassing all others. The name by which the Iroquois designated themselves. ONIGARAWANTEL.

- According to Schoolcraft the original name of Schenectady. According to Dr. Mitchill the rendering should be Ohnowalagantle. - Vide Annals of Albany, II, 233. ONTARIO "or CATARAQUI. The beautiful lake." - T. Pownal's Top. Descrip. N. A., p. 31. See also Col. Hist., IX, 16, where it is translated beautiful lake, and IX, 76 where it is rendered Great lake. Hough makes it Onontario, which would change the meaning to Mountain lake. ORONGUGHHARIE. - A great multitude collected together. The site of the city of Schenectady, originally a seat of the Mohawks. - Gordon's Gazetteer of New York. OSSARAGAS. - Wood creek, emptying into the head of Lake Champlain. - Top. Descrip. of the Middle British Colonies, Map, T. Pownal, 1776. OSWEGATCHIE, or OGHSWAGATCHIE with a dozen other different spellings.

- "An Indian name," the historian James MacAuley, informed the author, "which signifies going or coming round a hill. The great bend in the Oswegatchie river (or the necessity of it), on the borders of Lewis county, originated its significant name. An Indian tribe bearing the name of the river, once lived upon its banks; but its fate, like that of many sister tribes, has been to melt away before the progression of the Anglo-Saxon."- Simms's Trappers of N. Y., p. 249, note. According to a writer in the Troy Times of July 7th, 1866, it is a Huron word signifying black water. Sabattis defined it as meaning slow and long. OTSIKETA. - Lake St. Clair. - Pownal's Map of Middle British Provinces, 1776. OUKORLAH. - Indian name of Mount Seward, signifying the big-eye. - C. F. Hoffman. OUNOWARLAH. - Scalp mountain. Supposed to refer to that peak of the Adirondacks known as Whiteface mountain. - C. F.

Hoffman in The Vigil of Faith. OWERIHOWET. - Indian name applied to a creek, a branch of the Susquehanna. - Calendar N. Y. Land Papers, p. 501. PAANPAACK. - The Indian name for the locality covered by the city of Troy. - O'Callaghan's New Netherland, I, 180. PANGASKOLINK. - Glens Falls, N. Y. - Sabele. PAPAQUANETUCK. - The river of Cranberries. One of the names of the Ausable river. - Sabattis. PASKONGAMMUC. - Pleasant or beautiful lakes. A term applied to the three Saranac lakes. - Sabattis. PATTOUGAMMUCK. - The middle Saranac lake. - Sabattis. Page 31 PEELEEWEEMOWQUESEPO. - The Black river. The stream that separates the Mohawk from the St. Lawrence river. - Hough's Hist. St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties. PEMPOTAWUTHUT. - The place of fire, or fire place of the nation.

The present site of Albany, and once the chief seat of the Mohegan tribe. - Hoyt's Antiquarian Researches. PETAONBOUGH. - "A double pond or lake branching out into two." An Indian name of Lake Champlain, which refers probably to its connection with Lake George. - R. W. Livingston, quoted in Watson's Hist. Essex Co., N. Y. PETOWAHCO. - Lake Champlain. - Sabele. PETAQUAPOEN. - Indian term applied to the site of Greenbush opposite Albany. - Ruttenber's Indian Tribes, p. 375. PISECO. - An aboriginal name for a lake of considerable magnitude in Hamilton Co., N. Y. "The Indians speak it as though written Pe-sic-o; giving a hissing sound to the second syllable. It is derived from pisco a fish, and therefore signifies fish lake. - John Dunham. Piseco, says Spafford in his Gazetteer of New York, and which he spells Pezeeko, is so called after an old Indian hermit who dwelt upon its shores." - Simms's Trappers of New York, p.

163, note. Sabattis says that it was called after an Indian bearing that name. PITTOWBAGONK. - Lake Champlain. The dividing waters between the east and west and north of the Hudson. - Sabattis. POPQUASSIC. - Indian name of Lansingburgh. - Ruttenber's Indian Tribes, p.375. QUEQUICKE. - The falls on the Hoosick river. - Calendar of N. Y. Land Papers, p. 27. QUONEHTIQUOT. - Long river. Corrupted to Connecticut. - Morse's Universal Geography. RAQUETTE. - "The chief source of the Raquette is in the Raquette lake, towards the western part of Hamilton county. Around it, the Indians in the ancient days gathered on snow shoes in winter, to hunt the moose then found there in large droves, and from that circumstance they named it Raquet, the equivalent in French, for snow shoes in English. This is the account of the origin of its name given by the French Jesuits who first explored that region.

Others say that its Indian name Ni-ha-na-wa-le, means a racket or noise, noisy river, and spell it Racket. But it is no more noisy than its near neighbor the Grass river which flows into the St. Lawrence from the bosom of the same wilderness." - Lossing's Hudson, p. 11. ROTSIICHNI. - An Indian name of Lake Champlain signifying the coward spirit. An evil spirit, according to the legend, whose existence terminated on an island in Lake Champlain. The name was thence derived to the lake. Page 32 SACANDAGA, Sagendage, Sackondaga, Sackondago, Sacondaga, Saeondago, Sachondage, Sachendaga (Vide Calendar of N. Y: Land Papers); "is an aboriginal word, which signifies," as the Indians assured Godfrey Shew, much water. Capt. Gill, an Indian hunter, said it meant sunken or drowned lands. - Simms's Trappers of New York, p. 42. In Spafford's Gazetteer of New York, p.

89, it is defined as a swamp, and asserted to be derived from the Oneida dialect. SANAHAGOG. - The Indian name of Rensselaerswyck. - O'Callaghan's Hist. New Netherland, I, 122. SANATATEA. - The Hudson river. - Schoolcraft's Notes on the Iroquois, p. 69. SANDANONA. - A mountain near Lake Henderson in the Adirondacks. - The Vigil of Faith by C. F. Hoffman. SARATOGA. - Vide General Index to documents relating to the history of the state of New York for seventeen different spellings of this word. See also Calendar of N. Y. Land Papers, where it is found spelled Saragtoga, Saraghtoga, Saraghtogue, etc. Morgan renders it on his map in the League of the Iroquois Sharlatoga. Hough, in the Hist. of St.

Lawrence and Franklin Counties, has it Saratake, while Ruttenber, in his Indian tribes of the Hudson, on what authority is not stated, derives it from Saragh, salt, and Oga a place, though he adds that "the name was originally applied, to the site of Schuylerville, and meant swift water," an assertion which greatly impairs the value of the preceding statement. Gordon, in his Gazetteer of New York, p. 671, derives the word from Sah-ra-kah, meaning the great hill side, and states that it was applied to the country between the lake and the Hudson river. An anonymous writer in the Troy Times of July 7, 1866, defines it as a place where the track of the heel may be seen. SCHAGHTICOKE. - In Spafford's Gazetteer, p. 293, this is derived from Scaughwank and defined as a sand slide, with the statement that the final syllable cook was added by the Dutch. O'Callaghan in his works, quotes about twenty-five different spellings of the word.

Ruttenber derives it from Pisbgachticook a Mohican appelative meaning the confluence of two streams, and applied to the Indian village at the mouth of the Hoosick, and also to a settlement on the Housatonic. - Indian Tribes of the Hudson, p. 195. Gordon derives it from Scacoghwank and gives it the same signification as Spafford. - Gazetteer, p. 645. SCHENECHTADY. - Various spellings. The aboriginal name of Albany, "which signifies the place the natives of the Iroquois arrived at by traveling through the pine trees." - Dr. Mitchill, quoted in Munsell's Annals of Albany, II, 333. Hough, ut supra, makes it Skanatati, Page 33 "on the other side of the pines." Stone, in his Life of Red Jacket, p. 5, writes it Scaghnacktada, beyond the pine plains. Spafford translates it, "over the pines." - Gazetteer, p. 100. SCHENEGHTADE.

- Beyond (or at the other side of) the door. - Col. Hist. N. Y., vol. 2, p. 594. SCHODACK. - "A derivation from the Mohegan word ischoda," a meadow, or fire plain. This was anciently the seat of the council fire of the Mohegans upon the Hudson. They extended their villages along the eastern bank of the stream as high as Lansingburgh, and their hunting grounds occupied the entire counties of Columbia and Rensselaer. - Lossing's Hudson, p. 102. SCHROON from Skaghnetaghrowahna, or "the largest lake." - Gordon's Gazetteer, p. 453. Written "Scaroon" on some of the earlier maps, and it has been alleged, on what seems a very, slender foundation, that the name was conferred in the latter part of the 17th century by a wandering party of Frenchmen in honor of Madame de Maintenon the wife of the poet Scarron. SCOWAROCKA. - The Indian name of the northern termination of "Maxonhill," Greenfield, N. Y.

- Simms's Trappers of New York. SENHAHLONE. - The village of Plattsburgh. - Sabattis. SENONGEWOK. - A, hill like an inverted kettle, familiarly known as "the Potash," on the east side of the Hudson river about four miles north of Luzerne village, Warren Co., N. Y. - Vigil of Faith by C. F. Hoffman. SHANANDHOI. - Indian name of Clifton park. - Laws of New York, 1795. SHATEMUCK. - The Mohegan name of the Hudson river. - Washington Irving. Believed to be derived from a word meaning pelican. The name was applied to the Hudson below Dutchess county. - H. R. Schoolcraft. SHEEPSHAAK. - An Indian name of Lansingburgh. - Ruttenber's Indian Tribes, p. 375. SHEGWIENDAWKWE. - A cascade on the Opalescent river, signifying "the hanging spear." - Lossing's Hudson, p. 32. SHENONDEHOWA.

- Ranging in a north line from Schenectady river, and adjoining the easternmost bounds of Nastigiuna Patent (Clifton Park, Sar. Co., N. Y.). - N. Y. Calendar of Land Papers, p. 82. SINHALONEINNEPUS. - Large and beautiful lake. A term applied to the upper Saranac lake. - Sabattis. SKANEHTADE, G. - The west branch of the Hudson river and the river generally. - Morgan's map in the League of the Iroquois. SKANADARIO. - Lake Ontario. A very pretty lake. - Frontenac, a Poem by Alfred B. Street. SKMOWAHCO. - Schroon river. - Sabele. SQUINANTON. - Cumberland head on Lake Champlain. - Calendar of N. Y. Land Papers, p. 474. TAESCAMEASICK. - Indian name for the site of Lansingburgh. - Ruttenber's Indian Tribes, p. 375. TAHAWAS. - Mount Marcy, Essex Co., N. Y. The highest peak in the state.

"He splits the sky." - The Vigil of Faith by G. F. Hoffman. TAKUNDEWIDE. - Indian name of Harris's bay on Lake George. So called on a map of the Middle British Provinces by T. Pownal, M. P., Lond., 1776. TAWALSONTHA. - The Norman's kill, a little below Albany - O'Callaghan's New Netherland, vol. I, p. 78. Otherwise called Towasentha which is "an abbreviation of Toowasentha, the Mohawk word for falls." - Gallatin's Synopsis. TAWASSAGUNSHEE. - The Lookout hill. An elevation within two miles of Albany, where the Dutch erected a trading post before Fort Orange was built. - Barber's Hist. Coll., p. 46. TECKYADOUGH NIGARIGE. - The Indian name for the narrows between Ticonderoga and Crown Point, forming the entrance to the lake proper. - T. Pownal's Top. Descrip, of N. A., Lond., 1776.

On a map in the same work it is defined as "two points opposite to each other," and applied to Fort St. Frederick, now Crown Point. It is quite probable that the much discussed word Ticonderoga is derived from this term. TENONANATCHIE. - A river flowing through a mountain. A name applied to the Mohawk river by the western tribes. - H. R. Schoolcraft. TEOHOKEN. - The pass where the Schroon finds its confluence with the Hudson river. - The Vigil of Faith by C. F. Hoffman. See also Col. Hist. N. Y., vol. VII, p. 10, where it is defined as the forks of a river. TICONDEROGA. - There are about twenty renderings of the orthography of this word, and wide differences of meaning assigned to it. Those most worthy of acceptance are given herewith. Tienderoga. "The proper name of the fort between Lake George and Lake Champlain signifies the place where two rivers meet," - Colden's Account of N. Y., Col. Hist. N. Y., VII, 795.

"Tiaontoroken, a fork or point between two lakes." - Hough's Hist. St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, p. 181. Morgan, on his map, frequently referred to herein, spells it "Je hone ta lo ga," Teahtontaloga and Teondeloga are both defined as "two streams coming together." The sound and structure of the three words are similar. The definition given by Colden is doubtless correct. Page 35 TIGHTILLIGAGHTIKOOK. - The south branch of the Batten kill. - Calendar of N. Y. Land Papers, 303. TIOSARONDA. - The meeting of the waters. The confluence of the Saeandaga with the Hudson. - The Vigil of Faith by C. F. Hoffman. TOMHENACK. - A creek in the town of Cambridge, Washington county, N. Y. - Calendar of N. Y. Land Papers, p. 290. TOOWARLOONDAH. - The Hill of Storms, Mt. Emmons. - The Vigil of Faith, C. F. Hoffman. TUSCAMEATIC.

- Indian name for Greenbush, opposite Albany, N. Y. - O'Callaghan's Hist. New Netherland, vol. I, p. 330. WAHCOLOOSENCOOCHALEVA. - Fort Edward. - Sobele. Mohawk Indian Villages and Towns - Access Genealogy Mohawk Indian Villages and Towns Updated: October 11, 2013 | Native American | 0 | Discover your family's story. Enter a grandparent's name to get started. Start Now There are but three villages in the Mohawk territory which can be called prehistoric, one each for the Turtle, Bear, and Wolf clans. All these show signs of a knowledge of Europeans prior to 1642; and one, at least, of direct but slight contact. Being refugees, and in fear of their enemies, they placed their first villages quite remote from the Mohawk River, from four to ten miles. As soon as they possessed firearms, and the power secured by these, they built their dwellings along the river. All the early Mohawk towns of the historic period in New York are in Montgomery county, three earlier ones lying north and west.

The Mahican boundary line followed the hilltops east of Schoharie creek and near the line of Albany county, and at one time the western Mohawk boundary was at Little Falls. The sites of the towns were often changed, and several names might be given to one, or some small village might have none on record. In a few instances the name followed the town in its removals. The Mohawks , the first and the most easterly situated of the Five Nations, at the time of Father Jogues’ visit in 1642, had three large villages located in the beautiful valley of the Mohawk , on the south bank of the Mohawk River, and west of the Schoharie River. Ossernenon was situated on an eminence a little west of the junction of the Schoharie with the Mohawk, near the present Auriesville. Andagaron was about ten miles west of Ossernenon. Tionnontoguen, the capital, was about twelve miles west of Andagaron, directly east of Flat Creek, near the site of the present town of Sprakers.

There was also a fourth village located some miles west of Tionnontoguen, at the time of the captivity of Father Jogues. Small pox wrought great havoc in these towns about the years 1660-61, and the inhabitants moved westward from the plague spots. The names of the following Mohawk villages have been preserved: Andagaron The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents By Jesuits, Reuben Gold Thwaites, vol. 8, p. 300 states the village was on the south side of Mohawk River, between the villages of Ossernenon and Tionnontoguen. Another name given by the Jesuits is Gandagaron. Vol. 51, p.295 further states that it was called the Middle Castle in 1642, near Fultonville. Andarague An-da-ra-gue or Andaraque, the town where De Tracy caused proclamation to be made, October 17, 1666, of taking possession of this Mohawk fort and four others, with all the lands around them. The name is contracted from Teandarague, often written Teon-doroge.

It is closely related to the name of Ticonderoga, lacking only the prefix. Asserue As-ser-u-e was the first castle and that of the Turtles in 1644, according to Megapolensis. It was a little west of Schoharie creek, and the name was a variant of another. It might refer to good axes owned there, but more probably to putting something into the water, to cross the creek or river. Auriesville The Catholic Encyclopedia claims that this town, also known as Ossernenon, Gandawaga and Caughnawaga, was on the present site of the Town of Auriesville, and took its name from the last known Mohawk to have resided there, Auries. Since it is claimed that it took its name from the last known Mohawk to have resided there, then it is not a Mohawk Village, but a white man’s village name. The most often used name to describe this village during the Mohawk times is the Castle of Ossernenon. Cahaniaga Ca-ha-ni-a-ga was mentioned, as the first town on the river in 1677.

Though this suggests the national name it was intended for Caugh-na-wa-ga, on the rapids. Wentworth Greenhalgh, who made a journey through the Iroquois country in May and June, 1677 stated that “Cahaniaga is double stockaded,…. and is situate upon the edge of an hill, about a bow shott from the river side.” This is probably the same as Canienga. Canagere Ca-na-ge-re may be the later Canagora in another place, being the second castle and south of the river in 1634. It may be derived from Gannagare, a great pole. It was west of some great flats and was also called Wetdashet by Van Corlaer. Canagora Ca-na-go-ra was on the north side of the river in 1677, and was the Banagiro of 1644 (an error for Kanagiro), the castle of the Dears. The French gave this the name of Gandagaro in 1669. At first sight it suggests a large Tillage as a meaning, but this can not be sustained.

Bruyas, however, says of one of his Mohawk words, ” Ganniagwari, a she bear. This is the name of the Mohawk,” and a word derived from this may well have been applied to a town peopled by the Bear clan. It seems the same town as Canagere in a new situation. Wentworth Greenhalgh, who made a journey through the Iroquois country in May and June, 1677 stated that “Canagora is situated upon a flatt, a stone’s throw from ye water side.” Canajoharie (‘it, the kettle, is fixed on the end of it’). An important Mohawk village, known as the Upper Mohawk Castle, formerly situated on the east bank of Otsquago Creek, nearly opposite Fort Plain, Montgomery Co., N. Y. The community of this name occupied both banks of Mohawk River for some distance above and below the village. It was also known as Middle Mohawk Castle. Ca-na-jo-ha-rie is rendered Ga-na-jo-hí-e by Morgan, and defined washing the basin. This should be kettle, which the first three syllables signify.

Mr Morgan made a note on his interpretation: ” In the bed of the Canajoharie creek there is said to be a basin, several feet in diameter, with a symmetrical concavity, washed out in the rock. Hence the name Ca-na-jó-ha-e. One would naturally have expected to have found the Indian village upon this creek, instead of the Ot-squa-go.” There was an Indian village just west of the creek, but he mistook the location of the Canajoharie of King Hendrick’s day, which was at Indian Castle in Danube, and not at Fort Plain. There may have been several towns of the name. Spafford said: “This name is of Indigene origin. Canajoharie, as spoken by the Mohawk Indians, signifies the pot or kettle that washes itself. The name was first applied to a whirlpool at the foot of one of the falls of the creek that now bears the name.” French said that the name of the town was ” Canajoxharie in the act of incorporation.

Indian name, Ga-na-jo-hi-e, said to signify ‘ a kettle- shaped hole in the rock.’ or ‘ the pot that washes itself,’ and refers to a deep hole worn in the rock at the foot of the falls.” Perhaps the best early account is that of Professor Dwight, written about 2 centuries since: We all visited the Canajoharoo, (so the word is spelt by Mr Kirkland), or great boiling pot, as it is called by the Six Nations. This pot is a vast cavity in a mass of limestone, forming the bed of the mill stream to which it gives its name. . . When the water is high, it pours furiously down the ledge of the same rock, crossing the stream just above, into the Canajoharoo, and causing it to boil with a singular violence, and to exhibit the appearance of a caldron, foaming with vehement agitation over its brim. Whatever the origin or connection there is no doubt as to the general correctness of the interpretation. In his early list of Mohawk words Bruyas had Gannatsiohare, to wash the kettle.

The Canajorha of 1677, on the north side of the Mohawk, suggests this name. In 1700 the middle castle had the name, but it eventually belonged to the most western of all, and to the lands around. It was written Canaedsishore or Canijoharie in 1700, and Connatchocari by the French in 1757. Canajorha Ca-na-jor-ha was a village on the north side of the river in 1677. Wentworth Greenhalgh, who made a journey through the Iroquois country in May and June, 1677 stated that “Canajorha is situated upon a flatt, about two miles distant from the water.” Canastigaone A former Mohawk village on the north side of Mohawk River, just above Cohoes Falls, N. Y. Candaouga Aren Akweks indicates in his Monuments To Six Nation Indians that this village was located on the south side of Mohawk River near present Auriesville. This is the only known mention of this tribal village by this name.

The Catholic Encyclopedia claims that Kateri Tekakwitha was born in the Turtle Castle of Ossernenon, and placed that Castle on the present location of Auriesville. Canienga (‘at the place of the flint’). A former Mohawk castle situated at the distance of a bow-shot from the north side of Mohawk River, N. Y. The Mohawk name for themselves is derived from this place. In 1677 it had a double palisade with 4 ports enclosing 24 lodges. This is likely the same as Cahaniaga. Caughnawaga The ancient capital of the Mohawk tribe, situated in 1667 on the north side of Mohawk River, at the present site of Fonda, N. Y. The town was destroyed by the French in 1693. The Catholic Encyclopedia, 1911 edition, claimed that Caughnawaga was located on the south side of Mohawk River. Was this actually the case, or were they confusing the village with the site called by Aren Akweks, Candaouga?

Hodge in his Handbook of American Indians claimed that the Jesuit maintained there for a time the mission of St Pierre, when providing a description of Caughawaga. The St. Pierre mission was in Canada, probably at the Mohawk Village of Caughnawaga there, not the one in New York. The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents By Jesuits, Reuben Gold Thwaites, vol. 8, p. 300 states that Caughnawaga, was near the present station of Auriesville. He also said the village went by the name Cahniago. In earlier days it went by the names: Ossernenon (Osserinon, Agnié, Oneougiouré, or Asserua). Caugh-na-wa’-ga is written Ga-na-wá-da, on the rapids, by Morgan, who gives it also as Ga-nó-wau-ga, which on the whole is better. In 1667 Bruyas spoke of the first Mohawk castle as Gandawagué and there Jogues was killed. In 1674 Kaghnewage was also mentioned as the first castle.

The more recent location was at Fonda, where the name was applied to a large tract of land. Spafford said: “Caughnawaga, it is well known, was once an Indian village, a principal town of the Mohawk Indians. The name signifies a coffin, which it receives from the circumstance of there being, in the river opposite that place, a large black stone, (still to be seen) resembling a coffin, and projecting from the surface at low water.” The Rev. John Taylor (1802) defined this as cook the kettle, probably thinking of Canajoharie. Gallatin derived it from Caghnuhwohherleh, a rapid. J. R. Simms objected to interpreting Caughnawaga at the rapids, but forgot that the village of this name was not always at one spot. He said: “It meant, literally,stone in the water.

In the river, opposite to the ancient village of Caughnawaga, and, perhaps, 25 feet from the southern or Fultonville shore is a large boulder, which is the last stone seen when the water is rising, and after a freshet, the first one visible when the water is falling.” This seems the stone alluded to in the name Cayadutta. It is sufficient to say that the name followed the town in its removals, could not have referred to this stone, and was used before the Indians knew much of coffins. When some of the Mohawks removed to the rapids near Montreal they took the old name as an appropriate one for their new home, where it still remains. See Ossernenon. See Teatontaloga. Kanagaro (‘a pole in the water’). A Mohawk town situated in 1677 on the north side of the Mohawk River, in Montgomery or Herkimer Co., N. Y. In the year named it had a single stockade, with four ports, and contained 16 houses. Megapolensis mentions it as early as 1644, but no reference is made to it after 1693.

Nowadaga A former Mohawk village on the south bank of the Mohawk River, at the mouth of the Nowadaga Creek, on the site of Danube, Herkimer Co., N. Y. It was the principal Mohawk settlement about 1750. A part of the band here had another village a little lower down the stream, opposite the mouth of East Canada Creek. Nowadaga was the home of Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea). Onekagoncka A former Mohawk town, situated on the left bank of the Mohawk River, at its confluence with Schoharie River, near the site of the present Fort Hunter, Montgomery Co., N. Y. It was visited in 1634 by Arent Van Corlaer, who referred to it as the first castle, built on a high hill and consisting of “36 houses, in rows like streets… The houses were made and covered with bark of trees, and most are flat at the top. Some are 100, 90, or 80 paces long and 22 and 23 ft.

high… the houses were full of corn that they lay in store, and we saw maize; yes, in some of the houses more then 300 bushels… We lived a quarter of a mile from the fort in a small house, because a good many savages in the cast died of smallpox.” Speaking of Adriochten, the principal chief of the Onekagoncka castle, Van Corlaer adds: “The chief showed me his idol; it was a head, with the teeth sticking out; it was dressed in red cloth. Others have a snake, a turtle, a swan, a crane, a pigeon, or the like for their idols, to tell their fortune; they think they will always have luck in doing so.” Onoalagona (‘big head’ – Hewitt). A Mohawk village, about 1620, on the site of Schenectady, Schenectady Co., N. Y. A band, taking its name from the village, occupied the immediate vicinity in more modern times.

It is said by Macauley, with little foundation in fact, that the village was built on the site of a still older one, which had been the principal village of tribe that was called Connoharriegoharrie. Osquake (from Otsquago, ‘under the rock,’ Mohawk name of the creek. – Hewitt). A Mohawk band and village formerly at Fort Plain and on Osquake Creek, Montgomery Co., N. Y. (Macauley, N. Y., II 296, 1829). Cf. Osguage. Ossernenon The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents By Jesuits, Reuben Gold Thwaites, vol. 29, p. 293 states that Ossernenon was South East of the present site of Auriesville. Vol. 51, p.295 further states that it lay 1/4 mile south of Mohawk River, that it was the Eastern Castle of 1642 and was called the mission of the Martyrs. Os-se-ru-e-non, Osserrion, Asserue and Oneugioure were early names of the first castle. The first three are synonymous.

See Caughnawaga. Saratoga Hewitt claims the meaning of Saratoga to be ‘the place where ashes or alkaline substances float.’ However, in a letter of Sir William Johnson to Arthur Lee, of the Philosophical Society, upon the Language of the Six Nations, Feb. 28, 1771, he claimed the origination of the word Saratoga to be ‘The name Saratoga, Kayaderoga , or Saraghora  and, in view of the great confusion existing in regard to it, the fact should be duly remembered  means The Place of the Swift Water  “saragh” signifying “swift water,” “aga” or “oga” in the Iroquois dialect meaning “the place of” or “the people of.”‘ According to Macauley, the name of a Mohawk band (village?) formerly occupying the west bank of the Hudson, about Saratoga and Stillwater, in Saratoga Co., N. Y. Schanatissa Schan-a-tis-sa was a village near the middle Mohawk castle on a map of 1655. The odd interpretation given me was little long short village.

That is, in the Indian way of speaking, not a very long, in fact a very short village. Schaunactada (Schenectady) (‘on that side of the pinery’, referring to the large number of pines formerly growing between Albany and Schenectady). According to Macauley, the Ohnowalagantles, whom he calls a clan of the Mohawk, lived at Schenectady, which was situated about 17 m. w. of Albany, N. Y. He adds that the Schaunactadas, apparently only another form of the name Schenectady, whom he calls a clan of the Mohawk, dwelt along the Hudson at Albany and southwardly. The lands of Schenectady were purchased from the Mohawk by Arent Van Corlaer and others in 1662, and the present city founded. It suffered severely during the later Indian wars, and in 1690 it was attacked by French and Indians and many of its inhabitants were massacred. Schoharie (‘the driftwood’, or ‘the floating driftwood.’ – Hewitt).

A Mohawk village formerly near the present Scoharie, Scoharie Co., N. Y. So-ha-ni-dis-se was the third castle in 1634, there being then four. It seems a name already given, but Van Corlaer wrote it Rehanadisse on his return. Teatontaloga (‘two mountains apart’). A Mohawk village existing at different periods in New York. The oldest one known by that name was the principal village of the tribe until it was destroyed by the French in 1666. It was rebuilt a mile above the former site and was for a time the site of the Jesuit mission of St. Mary, but was again destroyed by the French in 1693. Both villages were on the north side of the Mohawk River, close to water, and probably near the mouth of Scoharie Creek in Montgomery Co., N. Y. On this spot, on the west side of the creek, was the last village of that name, better known in the 18th century as the Lower Mohawk Castle. It was also called Icanderago.

Macauley applies this name to the Mohawk band in the vicinity of the village. Tenotogehatage Te-no-to-ge ad Tenotogehatage are Van Corlaer’s names for the fourth castle in 1634. As but three castles are usually reckoned this is the name of the last. Megapolensis called it Thenondiogo, the castle of the Wolf clan. It was a large town and had many houses on the north side of Mohawk River in 1634, the fort being then on the south side. Teondalóga (‘two streams coming together’) Te-on-da-ló-ga is Morgan’s name for Fort Hunter. It has been written Te-ah´-ton-ta-ló-ga, and the name appears in so many forms that other meanings might be suggested. This was the site of the first or lower Mohawk castle. Tewanondadon A former Mohawk village, situated, according to the Brion de la Tour map of 1781, in the peninsula formed by the outlet of Otsego Lake and Shenivas Creek, N. Y. In 1753 Rev.

Gideon Hawley found in it 3 wigwams and about 30 people. Teyeondaroge (‘meeting of waters’) Te-ye-on-da-ro-ge is the same as Teondalóga, appearing as the name of the first castle in 1756, near Fort Hunter. It was not far from that site when first known, but had many names, some coming from slight changes in location and referring to a hill. A few variants of this name follow. It was written Tionondoroge in 1691, Trenondroge in 1693, Tiononderoga in 1733, and Ticonderoga and Tinnandora in 1768. That this name and that of the historic Ticonderoga had the same origin hardly admits of a doubt. At first it referred to the meeting of waters, sometimes near a hill.

Tionondogue Ti-on-on-do-gue in 1677, Thenondiogo in 1644, Tionontoguen in 1670, and Tionondoge in 1693, are variants of the name of the third castle, much resembling that of the first. Though once on the south side of the Mohawk it was removed to the north bank, and the name was appropriate to its situation on a hill. Wentworth Greenhalgh, who made a journey through the Iroquois country in May and June, 1677 stated that “Tionondogue is situated on an hill, a bow shott from ye river. The small village lyes close by the river side, on the north side.” Tionnontoguen On a hill just south of Spraker’s Basin, about 13 miles west of Ossernenon. The Jesuit Relations and Allied Documents By Jesuits, Reuben Gold Thwaites, vol. 51, p.295 further states that it was called the Western Castle of 1642. At Spraker’s Basin, 4 miles south east of Canajoharie.

There were other villages, about the same time. Thomas Donahoe, in his The Iroquois and the Jesuits, p. 13 states that Tionnontoguen, the capital, was about twelve miles west of Andagaron, directly east of Flat Creek, near the site of the present town of Sprakers Wetdashet Wet-da-shet is one of Van Colaer’s names for the second castle. This had no palisades at that time, and he saw little except numerous graves. There were but 16 houses and these were not of the largest size. This castle is not in the later lists. For a long time there were three and then but two castles. In the French act of possession in 1666, however, mention is made of Andaraque and four other forts. These appear to have been merely villages and are unnamed. Topics:

Question: What country's name derives from an Iroquois word for village?
Answer: Canada