Tisbury or Vineyard Haven - but are they the same place?

The town is called Tisbury, the ferry comes into Vineyard Haven; the kids go to the Tisbury School, but you pick up your mail from the Vineyard Haven post office - so which is it?

The area known as Vineyard Haven on Martha's Vineyard has had many names. It was originally called "Nobnocket" by the Wampanoag Native American tribe who have lived here for over 12,000 years.  

When the first Colonial settlers arrived they referred to the area as "Homes Hole", from 1646  to 1871.  "Homes" from a Wampanoag term for "old man" and "Hole" meaning a sheltered inlet. 

By the 19th century, it was more commonly spelled "Holmes Hole", after the descendants of John Holmes (1730–1812), who had settled in the village during the second half of the 18th century. 

The town, which originally included the lands of West Tisbury, was named after Tisbury in Wiltshire, England, the hometown of Martha's Vineyard Governor Thomas Mayhew, who's daughter Martha is our islands namesake! 

The Town of Tisbury was incorporated in 1671 and two hundred years later in 1871 the village officially changed its name to Vineyard Haven.

However, the name Vineyard Haven technically refers only to one section of the town of Tisbury, but the names are used interchangeably and Vineyard Haven is commonly used as a title for the whole town.

To learn more about all of the towns of Martha's Vineyard click the link here

For vacation RENTALS in Vineyard Haven - click here.

For properties FOR SALE in Vineyard Haven  -click here

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