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At one time the settlement known as Yarmouth today was called "Forchu" ie : "forked or cloven cape". It was given the name by Champlain in 1604. "inasmuch as its figure was so." The present name first appears in a grant made September 1759 in which it is provided that the tract of land hitherto known as Cape Forchu "shall be a township to be called hereafter & known by the name of the township of Yarmouth". But the area where the lighthouse is located today is still known as "Cape Forchu".
Some authorities say it was named after the Township of the town of Yarmouth in the State of Massachusetts; others say this is absurd, although it is that some of the earliest settlers came from that place.
M. Campbell, a Yarmouth historian states that Cape Forchu River was by the English named "Yar," and infers that the County received its name in this manner.
As all the counties evidently named by English authorities, it would appear that Yarmouth was named as Digby, Shelburne, etc...after an English title personage of that time.
The Indians called Yarmouth "Keespongwitk" meaning "Land's End". The Indian name for Yarmouth River was "Maligeak", meaning "fretful waters" which appears to be the same name they applied to Malaga Lakes in Queens County.
The district of Yarmouth was cut off from Shelburne County in 1836 and made an independent County. The township of Argyle was included. Yarmouth Town was incorporated in the year 1890. The first settlers of Yarmouth were Acadian French & refugees from New England. Yarmouth County is divided into two townships Yarmouth and Argyle. The County contains 736 square miles.
Yarmouth County Tourist Association