Narragansett (or Narraganset) Indiansa tribe of the Algonquian linguistic family. They lived in Rhode Island west of Narragansett Bay and were one of the most powerful tribes in New England. In 1635,Roger Williams settled among them. The Narragansetts took part in King Philip's War, 1675–76, and were nearly wiped out. Most of the survivors joined the Niantics, and the name Narragansett was applied to the combined tribe. They continued to live in Rhode Island, where today some individuals have retained their identity as Narragansetts.