The City of Conneaut is located on an old Native American trail, also used by early pioneers heading westward. The word conneaut comes from the Seneca language, and has a disputed meaning. A Missisauga village was located at or near Conneaut around 1747.

Conneaut was originally named "Salem", and the parts surrounding it were named "Lakeville" from 1944-1964. Eventually it was annexed into one town and named "Conneaut". People still refer to parts of Conneaut as Lakeville or Amboy.