Etymologies
The origin of some names is unclear and credible scholarly sources disagree on the meaning (or intended meaning).
The wholesale renaming of Michigan counties in the early 19th Century made several cultural and political points.
Nine counties have names invented by Henry Schoolcraft, usually adapted from parts of Native American words, but sometimes having parts from Greek, Arabic and Latin roots.
Henry Schoolcraft's made-up words have disputed sources. While he was a devotee of Native American words and culture, some of his words may have originated with tribes from other areas of the country, such as New York or the Northeast, where many settlers to Michigan came from. Real Native American words were eradicated, and he substituted made-up words, sometimes with a kernel of Indian language or sound in them.
A second group of four counties were renamed for Irish locales, apparently because it was close to the heart for certain Michigan legislators or their constituents.
Ten counties, the so-called cabinet counties, were named for persons who served in Andrew Jackson's presidential administration, which was tied to Michigan's anticipated ascendancy to statehood. Eight were named in 1829. Livingston County was named in 1833. Cass County was also named in 1829, but Governor Lewis Cass did not become a member of Jackson's Cabinet until 1831.
Read more about this topic: List Of Counties In Michigan