Calhoun County MI Archives History .....How Michigan Counties Got Their Name ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Robin Ellis -- July 17, 2007, 11:44 am The names of Michigan's 83 counties reflect the state's Native American, French, British and early American heritage. Thirty-two counties have names drawn from Native American languages; 29 are named for people; 16 are named for natural features such as rivers that already had been given names; and 6 have names meant to describe the county's geography (e.g., Hillsdale). Themes exist for the names of some counties. In 1829 the legislature set off 12 new counties, naming 8 of them for President Andrew Jackson and members of his cabinet: Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Eaton, Ingham, Van Buren. In 1840 the legislature changed the names of 16 counties and gave 5 counties names from Ireland: Antrim, Clare, Emmet, Roscommon and Wexford. Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, author and Indian agent, mixed words and syllables from Native American, Arabian and Latin languages to make up Native American- sounding words for some of the 28 counties set off in 1840. They include Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Arenac, Iosco, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Oscoda and Tuscola. The earliest counties were organized by the territorial government as areas became settled. The first county was Wayne. Michigan had 38 counties by the end of the year in which it became a state (1837). Throughout the years some county names and many county borders have changed. County Name Year of Organization Source of Name Alcona 1869 Believed to have been made up by Henry R. Schoolcraft with "al" from the Arabic for "the," "co" the root of a word for "plain" or "prairie," and "na" for excellent; thus the word is interpreted as "excellent plain." Alger 1885 Named for Russell A. Alger, governor of Michigan at the time (1885-1886) and later U.S. senator (1902-1907). Allegan 1835 Its derivation is obscure. Most sources say it was a Henry Schoolcraft creation with "al" for "the" and "egan" from "sa-gi-e-gan" (Chippewa for "lake"). Other meanings often given are "fine river" or "fair river." Alpena 1857 Not a Native American name, it is believed to have been created by Henry Schoolcraft with "al" for "the" and "pinai" for partridge or "penaissee" for bird. The best interpretation is "the bird." Antrim 1863 Named for County Antrim in Ireland. Arenac 1883 A name made up by Henry Schoolcraft, it is a combination of the Latin "arena" (sandy) and the Native American "ac" (earth). The combined words mean "sandy place." Baraga 1875 Named for missionary Bishop Frederick Baraga (1797-1868), who worked among the Native Americans in the area and wrote a Chippewa grammar and dictionary. Barry 1839 Named for William T. Barry (1785-1835) of Kentucky, postmaster general in the cabinet of President Andrew Jackson 1829-1835. Bay 1858 It was so named because the northern border of the county encircles the head of Saginaw Bay. Benzie 1869 The French named the river here "Riviere Aux-Bec-Scies." It was changed to "Betsey" because of the way Americans pronounced the French "Bec-Scies." Later it was changed to Benzie. Berrien 1831 Named for John M. Berrien of Georgia, attorney general under President Jackson (1829-1831). Branch 1833 Named for John Branch of North Carolina, secretary of the Navy under President Jackson (1829-1831). Calhoun 1833 Named for John C. Calhoun (1782-1850), vice president of the United States (1824-1832). Cass 1829 Named for Lewis Cass (1782-1866), second governor of the Michigan Territory, secretary of war under President Jackson (1831-1836). Charlevoix 1869 Named for Pierre François Xavier de Charlevoix (1682-1761), a French Jesuit missionary, explorer and historian who traveled through the Great Lakes region in 1721. Cheboygan 1853 This Native American word was first applied to the river. The word may have originally been "Chabwegan," meaning "a place of ore." Chippewa 1827 Name for the Chippewa or Ojibwa, the largest of the Algonquin tribes. The word referred to the puckered seams on their moccasins: "he who wears puckered shoes." Clare 1871 Named for County Clare in the western part of Ireland. Clinton 1839 Named for DeWitt Clinton (1769-1828), the New York governor under whose administration the Erie Canal was built. Crawford 1879 The name may have come from Fort Crawford (Prairie du Chien, WI), which was named for William H. Crawford, a prominent politician of the era. Delta 1861 From the Greek "delta," it refers to the triangular shape of the original county which included segments of Menominee, Dickinson, Iron and Marquette counties. Dickinson 1891 Named for Don M. Dickinson of Michigan, postmaster general during President Grover Cleveland's first term. Eaton 1837 Named for John H. Eaton (1790-1856) of Tennessee, secretary of war under President Jackson (1829-1831). Emmet 1853 Names for the Irish patriot Robert Emmet (1778-1803), who was hung as a traitor to the British government at the age of 23. Genesee 1836 From a Seneca (Iroquoian) word, "je-nis-hi-yeh," meaning "beautiful valley": the county was named after the valley in western New York State from which many area settlers came. Gladwin 1875 Named for Major Henry Gladwin, British commander of the fort at Detroit during the siege by Pontiac in 1763-64. Gogebic 1887 This name probably comes from the Chippewa "bic" which most references interpret as "rock." Grand Traverse 1851 The French phrase "grande travers" means "long crossing." It was given first to the bay by early French voyageurs. Gratiot 1855 Named for Captain Charles Gratiot (1788-1855), who supervised the building of Fort Gratiot at the present site of Port Huron. Hillsdale 1835 The rolling surface of the area (hills and dales) served as the basis for this name. Houghton Organized 1846; Reorganized 1848 Named for Dr. Douglass Houghton (1809-1845), first state geologist of Michigan, physician and surgeon, Detroit mayor 1842-43. Huron 1859 Named for the lake (Lac des Hurons) the French named for the Native American tribe they called "hure" (Hurons)--meaning "head"--when they saw the fantastic way they dressed their hair. The tribe referred to itself as "Wendat" (Wyandotte), meaning "dwellers on a peninsula." Ingham 1838 Named for Samuel D. Ingham of Pennsylvania, secretary of the treasury under President Jackson (1829-1831). Ionia 1837 Named for a province in ancient Greece noted for its flourishing cities, commerce and culture. Iosco 1857 This was a favorite name used by Henry Schoolcraft for Native American boys and men in his writings. He interpreted the word to mean "water of light." Iron 1885 Named for the iron deposits and mines found in the county. Isabella 1859 Schoolcraft proposed naming this county for Queen Isabella (1451-1504) of Spain, under whose patronage Columbus undertook his voyages in 1492. Jackson 1832 Named for Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), 7th president (1829-1837) of the United States. Kalamazoo 1830 Named for the river that runs through it, the Native American form of which was probably "Ke-Ken-a-ma-zoo." A widely accepted translation is "boiling water." Other versions are "otter tail" or "reflected river." Kalkaska 1871 This word was a Henry Schoolcraft creation, originally spelled Calcasca. One suggestion is that this is a play on words. Schoolcraft's family name formerly was Calcraft. The Ks may have been added to make the name appear more like a Native American word. Kent 1836 Named for Chancellor James Kent (1763-1847), New York jurist. Michigan employed him to defend its rights during the "Toledo War," 1836-37. Keweenaw 1861 A Native American word, "Kee-wi-wai-non-ing" meaning "portage" or "place where portage is made" is the source of this name. Lake 1871 The county has several small lakes and is only one county away (Mason) from the shore of Lake Michigan. Lapeer 1833 This is said to be a derivation of the French "la pierre," meaning flint or flint stone. Leelanau 1863 Created by Henry Schoolcraft (Ottawas and Ojibwas did not use the letter L), who gave the name "Leelinau" to some Native American women in his stories. Lenawee 1826 From a Native American word meaning "man," either from the Delaware "leno or lenno" or the Shawnee "lenawai." Livingston 1836 Named for Edward Livingston (1764-1836) of Louisiana, secretary of state under President Jackson from 1831 to 1833. Luce 1887 Named for Cyrus G. Luce, then governor of Michigan (1887-1890). Mackinac 1849 The county was originally laid out under the name of Michilimackinac in 1818. Some references claim the word was the French interpretation of a Native American word that meant "great turtle," the shape of the island from a distance. Others claim it came from "place of the Mishinimaki," an ancient tribe that inhabited the island and whose spirits still dwell there. Macomb 1818 Named for General Alexander Macomb (1782-1841), an officer in the War of 1812. Manistee 1855 This Native American name was first applied to the county's principal river. It means "river at whose mouth there are islands." Marquette Organized 1848; Reorganized 1851 Named for the French Jesuit missionary and explorer, Pere Jacques Marquette (1637-1675). Mason 1855 Named for Stevens T. Mason (1811-1843), first governor of the State of Michigan (1835-1840). Mecosta 1859 Named for the Indian chief, Mecosta. Menominee Organized as Bleeker, 1861; Reorganized 1863 This is the name of the Menominee tribe who lived in the vicinity. The word means "rice men" or "rice gatherers." Midland 1850 (no elections held until 1855) This county is located near the geographical center of the Lower Peninsula. Missaukee 1871 Named for a Ottawa chief who signed the treaties of 1831 and 1833. Monroe 1817 Named for James Monroe (1758-1831), 5th president of the United States (1817- 1825). He visited Detroit on August 13, 1817, and stayed five days. The county was named in anticipation of his visit. Montcalm 1850 French General Marquis de Montcalm is this county's namesake. His defeat and death in 1759 marked the end of the French and Indian War in North America. Montmorency 1881 It is not clear for which of the historical persons named Montmorency (or Morenci) the county was named. None had direct connections with Michigan. Muskegon 1859 The county took its name from the river running through it that empties into Lake Michigan. The word comes from the Ojibwa/Chippewa word "mashkig" meaning "swamp" or "marsh." Newaygo 1851 This was derived from then name of a Chippewa chief who signed the Saginaw Treaty of 1819 or from a Native American word meaning "much water." Oakland 1821 Named for the numerous oak openings in the county. Bela Hubbard described an oak opening as "a majestic orchard of oaks and hickories varied by small prairies, grassy lawns and clear lakes." Oceana Organized 1851; Reorganized 1855 It borders Lake Michigan, the fresh water "ocean." Ogemaw 1875 Named after Ogemaw-ki-keto, a prominent Saginaw Valley Indian chief who signed the Treaty of 1819. "Ogima" in Ottawa or Ojibwa is "chief" or "boss." Ontonagon 1848 Named for the river, called "Nantounagon" on a 1670 French map. The Ojibwa "onagon" means "dish" or "bowl." Osceola 1869 Named for the Seminole Indian chief, Osceola (1800?-1838), of national prominence. Oscoda 1881 This Schoolcraft creation is believed to be a combination of two Ojibwa words, "ossin" (stone) and "muskoda" (prairie). Otsego 1875 A county and a lake in New York bear the name derived from the Mohawk Iroquoian word that meant either "clear water" or "meeting place." Ottawa 1837 Named for the Ottawa tribe called "Ondatahouats," or "people of the forest," by the Hurons. Presque Isle Organized 1871; Reorganized 1875 A derivation of the French phrase for "peninsula," literally "almost an island." Roscommon 1875 Roscommon County is in the central part of Ireland. Saginaw 1835 There are two possible derivations: from "Sace-nong" or "Sak-e-nong" (Sauk Town) because the Sauk (Sac) once lived there, or from Chippewa words meaning "place of the outlet" from "sag" (an opening) and "ong" (place of). St. Clair 1821 Named for Lake St. Clair. According to Bela Hubbard in 1879, LaSalle and the crew of the Griffin came upon the lake on the feast day of Saint Claire in 1679 and named the waters for her. According to other sources, the county was named for General Arthur St. Clair, first governor of the Northwest Territory. St. Joseph 1829 The river for which the county is named got its name from a mission established along it by the French. They named the mission for St. Joseph, the patron saint of New France. New France included the lands the French claimed in what are now Canada and the United States. Sanilac 1848 Named for Sanilac, a chief, according to Wyandotte (Huron) traditions. Schoolcraft 1871 Named for Henry R. Schoolcraft who lived in Michigan from 1820 to 1842. Author and Indian agent, he developed and suggested (in 1838) the names of many of Michigan's counties. Shiawassee 1837 Named for the river, its derivation is difficult. Suggestions have included: "now it is light," "straight running river," "twisting river," "sparkling waters," green river" and "it runs backward and forward." Tuscola 1850 Created by Henry Schoolcraft, it is believed to be a combination of "dusinagon" (level) and "cola" (lands). Van Buren 1837 Named for Martin Van Buren of New York, secretary of state under President Jackson (1829-1831) and later 8th President of the United States (1837-1841). Washtenaw Organized 1826 Native American people called the area west of Detroit, "Wash-ten-ong," meaning "further district" or "land beyond." Another explanation is that it was a name for the Grand River and referred to the areas along and near the river. Wayne 1815 Named for the American General "Mad" Anthony Wayne (1745-1796). Wexford 1869 Wexford County is in the southeastern part of Ireland. Additional Comments: Information above from The State of Michigan Website: http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-15481_20826_20829-54126--,00.html Not all authorities agree about the sources of Michigan's county names. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/calhoun/history/other/howmichi3ms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/mifiles/ File size: 15.1 Kb