Footprints of the Red Men: Indian Geographical Names — Passage 40 (part 3)
[Edward Manning Ruttenber (1906)] That several of the sachems did sign their names, or that their names were signed by some one for them, "Sachem of Pammananuck," proves nothing in regard to the application of that name to the island. Wompenanit is of record as the name of "the utmost end eastward" of the Montauk Peninsula. The description reads: "From the utmost end of the neck eastward, called Wompenanit, to our utmost bound westward, called Napeake." (Deed of July 11, 1661.) In other papers Wompenonot and Wompenomon, corrupted orthographies. The meaning is "The utmost end eastward," _i. e._ from the east side of Napeake to the extreme end. The derivatives are Nar. _Wompan_ (from _Wompi,_ white, bright), "It is full daylight, bright day," hence the Orient, the East, the place of light, and _-anit,_ "To be more than," extending beyond the ordinary