The word Shawnee comes from the Algonquian term shawan, meaning southerner. That is just one 150 different names used to describe the Shawnee over the years. Like several other tribes, such as the Miami, Kickapoo and Illiniwek, the Shawnee are Algonquian speakers. During the summer months the Shawnee settled into large villages, and when winter came they broke apart into small family bands and became nomadic, following herds. The Shawnee are also comprised of five divisions; Chillicothe, Hathawekela, Kispogogi, Mequachake, and Piqua.
Like all of the Algonquian tribes, the Shawnee were originally from Canada. They were the first to migrate south, hence their name. They mainly covered the Ohio River Valley and Cumberland areas, until later in history when they were forced onto reservations in Oklahoma
Clark, Jerry, ed. 2007. The Shawnee. Lexington, KY: The University Press of Kentucky pp. 2-5