Ellis Island got its name from Samuel Ellis , a merchant who owned the island in the late 1700s. Before that, it had been known by other names, including Gull Island and Oyster Island.

A little history

  • The island’s name changed over time as different groups used it.
  • After Samuel Ellis owned it, people began calling it Ellis Island.
  • That name stuck even after the island later became famous as an immigration station.

Why it matters

The name is tied to a private owner from its early history, not to immigration itself. The immigration center came much later, so the island’s famous role is separate from how it was named.

In short: it was named after Samuel Ellis, who owned it before the federal immigration station existed.