It was named by Matthew Flinders in memory of George Lewis who was one of the eight crew lost from a cutter that capsized sometime after being launched from HM Sloop Investigator to search for water on 21 February 1802.

[1][2] Lewis Island was formed about 8400 years ago when sea levels rose at the start of the Holocene.

It also supported at least 19 other species including sea celery, karkalla, grey samphire, Australian hollyhock, native juniper, austral stork's bill and pointed twinleaf.

[2] As of 1996, a breeding colony of white-faced storm petrels was present on the higher southern section of the island.

[5] The island was one of several first sighted by Europeans on Saturday, 20 February 1802, from HMS Investigator whilst under the command of Matthew Flinders entered what is now Spencer Gulf.