Cow Head  was first named Cap Pointe by Jacques Cartier. Later it was called "Tete de Vache" by French fishermen because of a large rock that looked like a cow's head when viewed from the sea. "Tete de Vache" means (the head of the cow).

Originally people were attracted to Cow Head by fur-trapping and the excellent fishing grounds. This was mainly seasonal.

Mary and John Payne were the first settlers. People began to settle in Cow Head in the early 1800.                                                                           

Cow Head consists of two areas: "Winterside" and "Summerside." Summerside,  referred to as " The Head" is where the fishing took place, and in the winter most people, not all, moved over to the mainland, "Winterside." The "Head" and the "Main"are separated by a narrow isthmus.

Under the Resettlement Program in 1960, people moved to the Winterside permanently.

The Peninsula "Head" is still used for fishing activities during summer months.

The people from Belldowns Point also moved to Cow Head under the Gros Morne National Park Community Consolidation Program.

When Cow Head first census was took in 1837 there were 55 people. In the early 1990's the population was 800. Presently the population is approximately 500.