Adopted 7 March 1933 on Geological Survey sheet 278A, Prince Rupert, as labelled on British Admiralty Chart 1923b, 1868 et seq.

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

Labelled "King's Island" on Vancouver's chart "Part of the Coast of NW America", to accompany the published account of his voyages.

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

Named in 1793 by Captain George Vancouver, in honour of Captain King, RN, under whom Vancouver had served during the latter part of Cook's third and last voyage. (30 April 1902 letter from John T. Walbran)

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

"Named in 1793 by Captain George Vancouver, after the family of his late highly esteemed and much lamented friend, Captain James King, RN, with whom Vancouver had served as midshipman in the Discovery. He was the second son of Reverend James King, curate of Clitheroe, Lancashire, afterwards Dean of Raphoe, Ireland [see Dean Channel].... Entered the navy in 1762... was recommended in 1776 as a competent astronomer to accompany Cook's third voyage. King sailed from England in 1776 as 2nd lieutenant of the Resolution and returned in 1780 in command of the accompanying vessel Discovery, his promotion owing to the death of Captains Cook and Clerke. At the time of Cook's death, 14 February 1779, King was on shore taking observations... assisted in preparing Cook's journal of the third voyage for the press, and wrote the third volume, 4th edition. Appoited FRS in 1782. Died at Nice 1784..."

Source: Walbran, John T; British Columbia Coast Names, 1592-1906: their origin and history; Ottawa, 1909 (republished for the Vancouver Public Library by J.J. Douglas Ltd, Vancouver, 1971)