Adopted in the 2nd Report of the Geographic Board of Canada, 1900.

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

"Named by officers of the Hudson's Bay Company and adopted by British Admiralty surveyor Captain Pender, RN, while surveying these waters in 1866... After Joseph William McKay, a valued servant of the Hudson's Bay Company in which he served the long period of 37 years. He was born at Rupert House on the west coast of Hudson's Bay, 31 January 1829, and crossed over the Rocky Mountains to Fort Vancouver, Columbia River, in 1844. McKay filled various positions in the company's service and made many early important exploratory journeys in British Columbia, rising to the rank of chief trader, and during his service he also was one of the first six members of the legislative assembly of the colony of Vancouver Island, beginning at its first session, 1855-59. He married on 16 June 1860, Miss Helen Holmes, after whom Helen Point is named. Retired from the Hudson's Bay Company in 1879. Joined the Indian Department of the Dominion government in 1883, his long experience of the Indians of this province being of great value, and he remained in the service until his death, which occurred at Victoria 21 December 1900...." (see Walbran for extensive additional biographical information)

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)

"Named, according to Haisla community tradition for Mark McKay (1832-1932), who married Louisa Morrison, daughter of the Gitamaat chief Jessea Morrison (1842-1907) and took her high status name. He allowed his name to be used for the channel that the Haisla call T'lat'lasaxsiwa, meaning 'go through to open water'... "so it would be remembered in some way"." (information contributed February 2007 by anthropologist James V. (Jay) Powell, Professor Emeritus, University of British Columbia, Vancouver; consultant to Haisla Nation, 2000-present).

Source: included with note