Cherokee Co. OK Archives: Tahlequah, the meaning of
Copyright c 2005 by. Terrell White e-mail:  terrillwhite1978@aol.com
This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives. 
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The Meaning of Tahlequah
Reprinted from Tahlequah and the Cherokee Nation
By C. W. “Dub” West 1978

Several stories have been told through the years of the origin or meaning of the 
word “Tahlequah”.  One version is that soon after arriving in the new country three 
commissioners of the tribe were instructed to scout the area for a suitable place 
for their capital, and to return within a moon to report their find.  At the end 
of the period, two of them returned to the point of rendezvous.  They waited 
several days without the third member returning, whereupon they said, “Two will 
do”, which is supposed to be the meaning of the word “Tahlequah”.  

Dr. Ballenger tells a story similar to the above as well as the following:

Three commissioners were seated under a large white oak tree which they had 
determined would be a good site for their capital, when one of them looked up 
and saw another white oak tree.  He said, “More than one.” which translated 
into Cherokee as ta-la-E-que.

But Dr. Ballenger, as well as all other authorities I have consulted says it is 
more likely that Tahlequah received its name from one of the famous towns in the 
old country.  There was a town in the land of the Eastern Cherokees that in ancient 
times was a city of refuge similar to that of the Hebrews.  It was also the seat of 
government of one of the early clans – one of the seven towns.  The emperor Moytoy 
lived in this town, generally called “Tellico”, but variously spelled Tillico, 
Talcoa, Tallico, Telliquo, and Talikwa.  It is generally believed that their new 
capital was named “Tahlequah” to remind them of this famous city of old .

On an interesting note, there is also another “Tahlequah” in Washington.  
Tahlequah is a community on the southern end of Vashon Island in Puget Sound, 
Washington state. Located at  47° 19' 58? N, 122° 30' 22? W, it is best known 
for being the north end of the short Point Defiance-Tahlequah Washington State 
Ferries run.