The term "Puritans" is often misused when referring to the group that left the Church of England in pursuit of a different religious practice. Instead, these individuals should be recognized as Separatists. Their separation from the Church of England marked their desire for a distinct religious identity, as they sought a community free from what they viewed as the corruptions of the Anglican tradition.

In contrast to the Separatists, the Puritans were those who chose to stay within the Anglican Church while advocating for reforms to "purify" it. This distinction highlights the varying approaches to worship and church governance among early Protestants in England. Understanding these two groups helps clarify the religious landscape of the time and the motivations behind their journeys to America.