Pictou County Place Names

Pictou County’s place names form a rich mosaic of natural description, cultural heritage, and industrial history. Far more than simple labels on road signs or maps, they serve as keys to understanding Pictou County’s past, its geography, and its evolving cultural identity.

The Pictou County Atlas brings together a wide collection of maps, geographic data, historical records, and related information. Designed as both a reference and an educational tool, it invites anyone interested in the county’s geography and history to explore these names in an engaging way.

Currently, the Pictou County atlas includes over 750 place names, and continues to grow as new information is gathered. If you know of a location we have missed, or wish to share any local knowledge or history to enrich existing entries, we welcome your input.

Below is a random selection of Pictou County Places, you can use the sub categories listed below to narrow your search, or explore specific places using the sidebar tools.

Populated Places: Communities / Indian Reserves / Locality / Neighbourhoods / Parks / Towns /

Terrain Features: Beach, Cape, Head, Hill, Island (Islet), Mount (Mountain), Patch, Point, Reef (Rocks / Shoal), Spit, Valley, Vegetation

Hydrographic Features: Brooks /Coves / Guts / Harbours / Lakes /Water Falls

Others:

Middle Barneys River

in Locality

Middle Barneys River is a rural locality situated in the community of Laggan.

West Barneys River

in River, Hydrography

West Barneys River a major branch of Barneys River. It originates in the Indian Lake area and then flows north through the communities of Marsh, Laggan, Upper Barneys River, Kenzieville, Barneys River Station, and Avondale.

Barneys River

in River, Hydrography

Barneys River was named after Barnabas McGee, one of the early settlers who landed here in the late 1770s. The mouth of Barneys River was a major Mi’kmaq camping ground, known as Kaqpese’kaqnk (“At the smelt fishing place”). It is a fresh water river that flows south through upland interiors of the communities of Avondale, Kenzieville, Marshy Hope, Piedmont and Lower Barneys River and then empties into Merigomish Harbour.

MacDonalds Brook

in Brook, Hydrography

MacDonalds Brook is a small fresh water stream located in the communities of French River and Woodfield. It starts around the base of McGraths Mountain, then flows north until it meets up with West Branch French River.

Vameys Brook

in Brook, Hydrography

Vameys Brook is a small fresh water tributary that originates from Vameys Lake in the community of Baileys Brook. It then flows north through the communities of Ardness and Lismore before eventually emptying into the Northumberland Strait.

Quarry Brook

in Brook, Hydrography

Quarry Brook, a small fresh water tributary originates in the community of Rockfield and flows north east through the communities of Durham, Rogers Hill, and Lyons Brook before eventually emptying into the West River of Pictou.