Harkers Island, in Carteret County, was first called Davers Ile and Craney Island and was originally occupied by Coree tribe until the first Europeans arrived in the 16th century. Title was first awarded to a native of the Carolina colony named Farnifold Green by the Lords Proprietors in 1707. In 1730, Ebenezer Harker bought the island, settling it with his family. Soon after he died, the island became known as Harkers Island.
In 1899, after a hurricane destroyed the Outer Banks, refugees fled to Harkers Island. They floated their houses, piece by piece, across the sound and settled on the Island.
Because it has been separated from the mainland for hundreds of years, many Harkers Island residents still speak a distinct dialect of English.