Subtribes of the Cusabo included the Ashepoo (Ishpow), Combahee, Cusso (also spelled Coosaw, Coosawa, Cussoe, or Kussoe; not the same people as the earlier Coosa chiefdom of the Mississippian culture in Georgia), Edisto (also spelled Edistow), Escamacu (also St. Helena Indians), Etiwaw tribe (also Etiwan, Ittawan or Eutaw), Kiawah, Stono, Bohicket, Wando, Wappoo and Wimbee.

[5] Although in the 1930s, American anthropologist John Swanton theorized that the Cusabo may have spoken a form of the Muskogean language, linguistic research since the late 20th century disputes this.

Only a few words (mostly town names) of this language were recorded in the 16th century by French explorer René Goulaine de Laudonnière.

[6] Blair Rudes has suggested that the -bo suffix and other evidence may indicate a relationship to the Arawakan languages of the Caribbean indigenous peoples, some of whom originated on the South American continent.

[3] If true, it would mean that parts of the Atlantic Coast in North America may have been settled by indigenous peoples from the Caribbean islands.

[citation needed] The names of many subtribes of the Cusabo and Catawba people may be recognized among the provinces that were described by Francisco de Chicora, a native who was kidnapped from the Pee Dee River area by Spanish in 1521.

The Kussoe, Stono, and other Cusabo subtribes remained in the area, living in relative accord with the colonists until the Yamasee War of 1715.

Contemporary scholars believe the Westo were an Iroquoian tribe who had migrated from the Great Lakes area, possibly an offshoot of the Erie during the Beaver Wars.

A relationship developed between the two groups, with the Indians serving as a kind of police and security force in exchange for trade goods, weapons, and money.

The colony paid the Cusabo for killing "vermin", major predators such as wolves, "tigers" (cougars), and bears.

As late as 1750, reportedly more than 400 "ancient native" (or Settlement Indians) lived within South Carolina, with their "chief service" being "hunting Game, destroying Vermin and Beasts of Prey, and in capturing Runaway slaves.

[5] After the Yamasee War, most of the Tuscarora migrated north to western New York, where they joined the Five Nations of the Iroquois League, known as the Haudenosaunee.

[4] Barnwell took a census in early 1715 that listed the Cusabo ("Corsaboy") as living in five villages and having a population of 95 men and 200 women and children.