Which Father of Confederation is traditionally credited with suggesting the name Dominion of Canada?

Samuel Leonard Tilley is traditionally credited with suggesting the name Dominion of Canada.

Tilley, a New Brunswick politician and Father of Confederation, reportedly drew inspiration from Psalm 72:8 during the discussions surrounding Confederation. The verse speaks of dominion “from sea to sea,” an idea that matched the proposed country’s geographic ambitions. Tilley suggested “Dominion” as an alternative to names such as Kingdom of Canada.

The story is traditionally credited rather than proven beyond dispute. Historical accounts differ over exactly who proposed the wording and how the final choice was made, but Tilley’s role is deeply established in Canadian historical tradition. The phrase entered the constitutional language as “one Dominion under the Name of Canada.”

Tilley later became a prominent federal minister and served as lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick. He is sometimes confused with John A. Macdonald, who was a leading Confederation architect and reportedly preferred “Kingdom” as a possible designation.