ORIGIN 


OF THE NAMES OF STATES.



THERE is much that is interesting in the study of the origin of the names of the States of the Union, as they are derived from a variety of sources.

To begin in the geographical order, we have:

 Maine, which takes its name from the province of Maine, in France, and was so called in compliment to the queen of Charles I, Henrietta, its owner.

New Hampshire first called Lacotia from Hampshire, England.

Vermont, from the Green Mountains 

(in French, verd mont).

Massachusetts, from the Indian language, signifying "The country about the great hill."

Rhode Island gets its name from the fancied resemblance of the little island to that of Rhodes in the ancient Levant.

Connecticut's name was Moheagan, spelled originally, "Quon-eh-ta-cut," signifying "a long river."

New York was so named in compliment to the Duke of York, whose brother, Charles II, ceded him that territory.  

New Jersey was named by one of its original proprietors, Sir George Carteret, after the Island of Jersey in the British Channel, of which he was governor.

Pennsylvania, as is generally known, takes its name from William Penn, the "sylvania" meaning woods.

Delaware takes its name from Thomas West, Lord de la Ware, governor of Virginia.

Maryland receives its name from the queen of Charles I, Henrietta Maria.

Virginia gets its name from Queen Elizabeth, the unmarried, or virgin, queen.

The Carolinas were named in honor of 

Charles I.

Georgia in honor of Charles II.

Florida gets its name from Jasquas de Flores, or "Feast of the flowers."

Alabama comes from a Greek word, signifying "The land of rest."

Louisiana named in honor of Louis XIV.

Mississippi derives its name from that of the great river, which is, in the Natchez tongue,  "The father of waters."

Arkansas is derived from the Indian word Kansas, "smoky water," with the French prefix, ark, "a bow."

Tennessee is an Indian name.

"Kain-tuckee," signifies "At the head of the river."  (((Kentucky)))

Ohio Shawnee name for "The beautiful river."

Michigan's name was derived from the lake, the name for a fish-weir or trap, which the shape of the lake suggested.

Indiana's name is derived from that of the Indians.

Illinois's name is derived from the Indian word "Illinois," men, and the French affix

"elf," making it ''Tribes of men."

Wisconsin's name is said to be the Indian for a wild, rushing channel.

Missouri is also an Indian name for muddy water, having reference to the muddiness of the Missouri river.

Kansas the Indian name for smoky water. 



Selected.