The Wampanoags and other Native Americans had already named most of Cape Cod before the Europeans ever arrived. Try to match today's town name with its original Indian name below!
Indian Origins
Before the Europeans arrived, the Native Americans had already named areas, which encompassed the Cape's piney woods, rolling dunes and sandy shores. In fact, the Wampanoags usually gave more than one name to each place.
While there are still over 200 Indian place names on the Cape, many have been corrupted. For example, Wakepee became Wakeby; Manomet became Monument Beach.
To test your Cape knowledge, try to match current town names to the original Indian or Colonial era names below. Check your answer by pointing to the town & looking in your window's status bar (bottom left or middle of browser window). Have Fun!
| 1. Bourne | A. Helltown or Province Lands |
| 2. Mashpee | B. Pamet, Pawmett or Dangerfield |
| 3. Sandwich | C. Billingsgate or Whale Fleet |
| 4. Falmouth | D. Nauset or Nawsett |
| 5. Barnstable | E. Tonset or Pochet |
| 6. Yarmouth | F. Manamoit or Monomoyick |
| 7. Dennis | G. Satucket or Saquatucket |
| 8. Harwich | H. Namskaket or Quivet |
| 9. Brewster | I. Scargo or Shuckquam |
| 10. Orleans | J. Mattachesset or Nobscusset |
| 11. Chatham | K. Cummaquid or Wianno |
| 12. Eastham | L. Marshpee Plantation |
| 13. Truro | M. Suckanesset or Sippewisset |
| 14. Wellfleet | N. Shawme or Comassakumkanit |
| 15. Provincetown | O. Cataumet, Aptuxet or Manomet |
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