[4] For governance purposes it is divided between the town of Tantramar, the incorporated rural community of Strait Shores,[5] and the Southeast rural district,[6] all of which are members of the Southeast Regional Service Commission.

[7] Prior to the 2023 governance reform, the parish was divided between the village of Port Elgin[8] and the local service districts of Baie-Verte, Pointe de Bute, and the parish of Westmorland.

Ganong considers the name to have "probably" come from Westmorland's proximity to Cumberland in England, or by the marshes in the English county.

[10] Westmorland County was part of Cumberland County, Nova Scotia until New Brunswick was created, and Westmorland Parish was part of the Nova Scotia township of Cumberland.

[12] Westmorland was erected as a parish in 1786[13] from the New Brunswick portion of Cumberland Township.