Caplan is a municipality in the Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine region of the province of Quebec in Canada.

There are various explanations as to the origin of the name Caplan, including: a corruption of capelin or Cape Land; from the surname of a certain John Kaplan, an Indian who long camped at this location; or from the Mi'kmaq word gaplanjetig (meaning "capelin").

[1] The place was incorporated in 1875 as the Parish Municipality of Saint-Charles-de-Caplan.

In 1964, it changed its status and was renamed to Municipality of Caplan.

[1] The Eastern Shores School Board serves the municipality.