Adopted 5 February 1924 as labelled on British Admiralty Chart 570, 1865 et seq, and as labelled on BC map 2A, 1913.

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

"...intricate charting was carried out during 1859 and 1860 by Captain Richards, aboard the survey vessel Plumper.... Richards' named almost all Howe Sound features in honour of naval officers who had participated in the 'Glorious First of June' naval battle, 1794. Mount Elphinstone, which dominates the western entrance to Howe Sound, and which acts as a significant landmark from far out across the Strait of Georgia, derives its name from that of an old Scottish family: William Elphinstone, first of the family to be raised to the peerage, was created Bishop of Ross in 1481, and Lord High Chancellor of Scotland in 1488. In 1494 he founded the University of Aberdeen, and spent the final years of this life establishing that institution. At the time of Captain Vancouver's explorations [1792] and Howe's victory over the French fleet [1794], the 11th Lord Elphinstone was First Lord of the Admiralty. The present Lord Elphinstone is cousin to Queen Elizabeth II." (The Gibson's Landing Story by Lester R. Peterson; published by Peter Martin Books Canada, Ottawa, 1962, p.27)

Source: included with note

"Named c1860 by Captain Richards, presumably after Captain J. Elphinstone of HMS Glory, which took part in the great victory over the French in the "Glorious First of June" [battle], 1794." [note: the vessel Glory, 98 guns, Captain John Elphinstone, listed as engaged with Admiral Howe's actions (although her log could not be found at the Record Office in 1899) in "Logs of the Great Sea Fights, 1794-1805", vol 1, T. Sturges Jackson editor, Naval Records Society, London, 1899. No mention of the vessel Glory in "HMS: His Majesty's Ships and their Forebears" by Cecil King, 1940.]

Source: Provincial Archives of BC "Place Names File" compiled 1945-1950 by A.G. Harvey from various sources, with subsequent additions

"Possibly after Sir Howard Crawford Elphinstone, major-general Royal Engineers (1829-1890), comptroller of Duke of Connought's household for many years; in 1857 in the topographical department of the War office..." (24 November 1947 letter from M. Wolfenden, assistant provincial archivist, to A.G. Harvey)

Source: Provincial Archives of BC "Place Names File" compiled 1945-1950 by A.G. Harvey from various sources, with subsequent additions