The Cherokee came from more northerly areas, gradually pushing
smaller tribes and the many Muskogean speakers to the south and
west, as we have mentioned elsewhere. The Muskogean tribes came
to be known as the Creeks. When the Cherokee took their towns
and lands, many of the place names were kept and pronounced in
Cherokee language forms. It is quite possible that the Creek
tribes were descendants of the Mound Builders. The Cherokee used
the mounds, but they reported that the mounds were already
present when they arrived. Those who know much more about
Muskogean dialects and languages than I do tell me some of the
things which follow here. There are some who claim that many
others of the Cherokee place names which do have meanings in the
Cherokee language are also of Muskogean origin. In general, I do
not agree, but I am willing to listen and to learn. I think
Coweta, Coosa, Chattooga, Etowah, Euharlee and Eufaula, and
Suwanee are likely of Creek origin, their names taken over and
converted to Cherokee sounds