It was a port for Portuguese, Jersey and English fishermen in the 16 and 17 centuries.

Carbonear has been recorded as: "Carbonera" (c.1612), Carbonar (c.1630), Caebonere (1669). Charbonnier is French for charcoal. It is also a French family name. Perhap's Carbonear has it's origin because Jersey Fishermen made charcoal. Or it may have been named after a Norman sailor. 

Local folklore tells that Sheilagh Ne Geira and her husband Lieutenant Gilbert Pike were the founders of the community of Carbonear. 

Folklore tells that after arriving in Newfoundland, late in the Elizabethan era (circa 1602), the couple settled at Bristol's Hope. However, circa 1612, they were supposed to have moved to Carbonear to escape the oppression of their former ally turned pirate Peter Easton.

In 1674 the population of Carbonear was 161. In 1677 Carbonear had 14 dwellings, 11 "planters", at least 9 families, 107 fishermen and 25 boats. 

In 1696, Carbonear residents withdrew to Carbonear Island as Captain D'Iberville and French soldiers burnt and pillaged the English communities of Newfoundland. 

The Carbonear residents were the only group of English to withstand the onslaught of Captain  de'Iberville. By 1697 the population of Carbonear had risen to 220.

Today Carbonear is a thriving community with a proud heritage.