Lunenburg

Lunenburg, Lunenburg County — This place was at one time named "Malagash" and also "Mirliguesche". "Meligech" is no doubt the Mi`kmaq word for "milk", and it is generally conceded that this is the origin of the name "Malagash". The name is first mentioned in 1630.

"Mirliguesche" is said to mean milky surf or milky bay, referring to its white appearance in a storm. The Mi`kmaq also called this place "Asceedik", meaning clam land, or place of clams.

Desbrisay quoted Dr. Rand as saying that the Mi`kmaq spelling was "Malligglak", meaning mal-bad and the termination meaning inherent and inanimate, and that the name was applied to the whole coast along by Lunenburg.

In 1630 Sir William Alexander granted to Sir Claude de St. Etienne, Lord of La Tour, and his son Charles, a large stretch of lands along the coast which included Mirliguesche.

It was settled in 1751-1753 by a party of Germans from Prussian Hanover, whose King, George II, was also King of England. It was named in May 1753, after "Luneburg" in Hanover.

The Township, one of the two original township divisions of the County was formed in 1753. The Town was incorporated in 1888. The County contains 1116 square miles.
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