Adopted 6 June 1977 on 92L, as named in 1792 by Captain Vancouver.

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

Broughton Strait, Broughton Island and Broughton Archipelago all named in 1792 by Captain Vancouver, after Lieutenant Commander William Robert Broughton, captain of the armed tender Chatham, engaged examining this coast during that year. Broughton returned to England with despatches, overland from California, early in 1793, Lieutenant Puget continuing Broughton's duties in the Chatham.... [Broughton] returned to this coast in command of the sloop of war Providence, 400 tons.... upon his arrival at Nootka, 17 March 1796, he found that Vancouver had completed his work and sailed for England. Broughton then commenced a close survey of the coast of Asia 35ºN to 52ºN....

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)

Extent is based on geological evidence, and includes the islands and islets at the extreme south end of an area that geologists call the "Hecate Depression." From the west end of Broughton Island, clockwise, following the mid-line of Wells Passage, Patrick Passage, Sutlej Channel, Pasley Passage, Pemphrase Passage, Tribune Channel, Nickoll Passage, Chatham Channel, Johnstone Strait, Weynton Passage and Nowell Channel.

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