Many groups in early California called themselves one name, but were given other names by other tribes
and by Spanish settlers. Because of this, sometimes a single tribe will have many names.
Tribes are grouped by the language group and sub-group to which they belong.
The first column gives the primary name of the tribe. The second column gives alternate
names or spellings. It also lists the names of some of the sub-tribes. If your tribe is
one of these sub-tribes, you can find information by searching for the primary tribe name.
| Tribe |
Alternate Name /
Sub-Tribe |
Language Group /
Sub-Group |
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- Klamath River Indians
- Euroc
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- Eel River Indians
- Wailaki, Wylakie, Wilakee
- Sinkyone
- Nongatl
- Lassik
- Mattole
- Bear River Indians
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Note: The Wailaki, Sinkyone, Nongatl, Lassik, and Mattole are sometimes considered to be separate tribes. |
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- Obispeno
- Interior Chumash / Cuyama
- Emidiegeno / Emigdiano
- Purisemo / Purisemino
- Barbareno
- Island Chumash / Cruzeno
- Ventureno Chumash
- Ynezeno / Ineseno
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- Northern Pomo
- Northeaster Pomo
- Eastern Pomo
- Southern Pomo
- Southeastern Pomo
- Central Pomo
- Southwestern Pomo
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- Antoniano
- Playano
- Migueleno
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- Pit River Indians
- Achomawi
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- Shasista
- Okwanuchu
- Konomihu
- New River Shasta
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- Northern Yana
- Central Yana
- Southern Yana
- Yahi
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- Diegeno
- Northern Diegeno
- Southern Diegeno
- Tipai
- Ipai
- Kamia
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Note: The Halchidhoma were originally a California tribe, but they have moved to a reservation in Arizona. |
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- Costanoan
- Santa Clara Indians
- San Jose Indians
- Soledad Indians
- San Juan Bautista Indians
- Santa Cruz Indians
- San Francisco Indians
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- Maidoo, Meidoo
- Konkow, Concow
- Nisenan, Nisenen
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Note: The Konkow and Nisenan are sometimes considered to be separate tribes. |
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- Bay Miwok
- Plains Miwok
- Northern Miwok
- Central Miwok
- Southern Miwok
- Eastern Miwok
- Meewok, Meewoc
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- Coast Miwok
- Lake Miwok
- Tuleyome
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Note: the Klamath are an Oregon tribe closely related to the Modoc. The Klamath River Indians are a different tribe. See Yurok. |
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- Hill Nomlaki
- River Nomlaki
- Central Nomlaki
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- Northern Hill Yokuts
- Kings River Yokuts
- Tule Kaweh
- Poso Creek Paleayan
- Northern Valley Yokuts
- Southern Valley Yokuts
- Buena Vista
- Kings River Yokuts
- Hill Yokuts
- Foothill Yokuts
- Yocut
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- Tongva
- Fernandiño
- Nicoleño
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- Western Shoshone
- Panamint
- Timbisha
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- Pass Cahuilla
- Desert Cahuilla
- Mountain Cahuilla
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- Uto-Aztecan /
Luiseño-Cahuilla
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- Uto-Aztecan /
Luiseño-Cahuilla
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- Uto-Aztecan /
Luiseño-Cahuilla
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Note: The Luiseņo and Juaneņo are sometimes considered to be separate tribes. |
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- Uto-Aztecan /
Mono-Bannock
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- Eastern Mono
- Owens Valley Paiute
- Mono Lake Paiute
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- Uto-Aztecan /
Mono-Bannock
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- Uto-Aztecan / Tubatulabal
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- Uto-Aztecan /
Ute-Chemehuevi
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- Uto-Aztecan /
Ute-Chemehuevi
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- Western Wappo
- Northern Wappo
- Central Wappo
- Southern Wappo
- Clear Lake Indians
- Napa Valley Indians
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This site gives alternate names for many tribes, as well as several sub-tribe names. However, only tribes in northern and central California are included.
John R. Swanton: The Indian Tribes of North America
This site gives information on alternate names, sub-tribes, and villages of the tribe. It also gives population information.
