<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> 261,310 </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> − 10.7% </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="4"> source: </Td> </Tr> <P> The City of Buffalo, formerly known as Buffalo Creek, received its name from the creek that flows through it . However, the origin of the creek's name is unclear, with several unproven theories existing . Early French explorers reported the abundance of buffalo on the Eastern shore of Lake Erie, but their presence on the banks of Buffalo Creek is still a matter of debate, although American Bison did range into western NY state at one time . Neither the Native American name Teyohoseroron (the Place of the Basswoods) nor the French name Riviere aux Chevaux (River of Horses) survived, so the current name likely dates to the British occupation which began with the capture of Fort Niagara in 1759 . </P> <P> Another theory holds that a Seneca Indian lived there, either whose name meant buffalo, or who had the physical characteristics of a buffalo, and was translated as such by the English settlers . The stream where he lived became Buffalo's Creek . Unlike other nearby creeks such as Scajaquada Creek and Smoke's Creek which were named after actual historic figures, there is no known reference to any Native American named Buffalo . Also given credence by local historians at one time was the possibility that an interpreter mistranslated the Native American word for "beaver" as "buffalo," the words being very similar, at a treaty - signing at present - day Rome, New York in 1784 . The theory assumes that because there were beaver here, the creek was probably called Beaver Creek rather than Buffalo Creek . </P>

Where did buffalo new york get its name