Long Island Indians. At the time of its first settlement by the Dutch and English, Long Island was occupied by thirteen distinct tribes of Indians -- the Canarse's, Rockaway's, Merikoke's, Marsapeague's, Secatogue's and Patchoque's in the south, the Matinecock's, Nissaquogue's, Setauket's and Corchaug's in the north, and the Shinecock's, Manhasset's and Montauk's in the east. Historians say these tribes sprang from the Delawares and Mohawks. A large number of towns, villages, beaches, rivers, streets, etc., on Long Island are named after its Indian tribes or chiefs, or taken from Indian names.