Settlement of the area began around 1820.[5] The modern-day name for the settlement is derived from the mi'kmaq name for the area, Noodakwade, meaning "the seal hunting place".[6][5] The settlement was previously known as West Newdy Quoddy, an anglicized version of the native name.[6] Several variations of the name of the community were used as well, including Noody Quoddy, Noody Quoday and Newdiquoddy.[5][6] A Presbyterian church was opened on October 19, 1873, and a Baptist church was built in the community in 1954 and dedicated on July 19 of the same year. A schoolhouse was built in 1876 and a new school was built in 1945.[6]
The headwaters of Quoddy River are the Chain Lakes, at an approximate elevation of 100 m (330 ft), about 17 km (11 mi) northwest of the community.[7][8] The river progresses southeast-ward, passing through Quoddy Lake, as well as the Fourth and Third Lakes.[9][10][11] The river continues in its general direction and flows through the Second and First Lakes before culminating in The Bridges Pool and flowing under Trunk 7 and into Quoddy Harbour.[12][13][14]
