Adopted 31 March 1924 on 92L/3 as listed in 1924 Gazetteer and as appears on Reference Map 2C "Vancouver Island - Northerly" (1919).

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

"The name Tahsis is a modification of a Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation word meanig 'way' or 'passage,' and refers to an ancient but important trade route across Vancouver I that led up the Tashis R to Wos Lk and Nimkpish Lk. Another trail across the island (one that Lt Philip Hankin and Dr charles Wood of HMS Hecate took in 1862) led from Tashish Inlet to Kyuquot Sd up the Tahsish R and overland to Nimpkish Lk. Several versions of the name are recored, including Tah-cease and Tashees. In the late 18th century, the head of Tahsis Inlet was the site of an important Mowachaht First Nation winter village. Cheif Maquinna entertained Capt George Vancouver and Huan Fransisco de la Bodega y Quadra in lavish fashion there in 1792... Tahsish Inlet was formerly knows as Tahsish Arm. Tahsish Lk and Tahsis Mtn are also named after the respective rivers." (p. 581)

Source: Scott, Andrew; "The Encyclopedia of Raincoast Place Names"; Harbour Publishing, Madeira Park, 2009.

[8 September 1865] "I found out that the names given to different places as arose from [Indigenous] names misconstrued, for instance... Tasis Canal or Tah-cease means where the water travel stops and they have to walk." (John Buttle, Journal of the Proceedings of the Vancouver Island Exploring Expedition, June 19 - October 8, 1865, p.92.) Typescript in Provincial Archives. [The Provincial Archives cites the same passage for both Tahsish Inlet & River tributary to Kyuquot Sound, and Tahsis Inlet & River tributary to Nookta Sound.]

Source: included with note

See Ta:shiis (Former First Nation Village) for more information on the origin of the name.

Source: BC place name cards & correspondence, and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff.

Tahsish recorded as being an Nuu-chah-nulth word meaning "road" or "passage".

Source: BC place name cards & correspondence, and/or research by BC Chief Geographer & Geographical Names Office staff.