ORIGINEA TOPONIMELOR COMUNEI FĂRĂU (JUDEŢUL ALBA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT. On the origin of toponyms in Fărău Commune (Alba County). Place-names in the five component villages of this commune (Fărău, Heria, Şilea, Sânbenedic and Medveş) reflect both the historical-geographical conditions and the ethnical structure of the population formed of Romanians and Hungarians, who have been living here for centuries on end. Since the Romanians represent the majority (over 80%), Hungarians being only 20%, most toponyms are of Romanian origin. However, the name of the five villages is of Hungarian origin, as is the case of many Transylvanian settlements in the possessions of Magyar feudals. Field research has revealed a number of 345 place-names standing for natural aspects and land use, the name of owners or neighbouring villages, the name of the respective village founder, or of a Roman-Catholic saint. The 300 names of Romanian extraction, originate from some Dacian, Latin, Slavic, Petchenego-Cuman or Magyar lexical funds, used in the languages of the populations the Romanians have been co-inhabiting with in the course of its history of the last two thousand years. At the same time, the name of landforms, waters and settlements, as well as most toponyms, reflect aspects of nature and land use. Next come the toponyms connected with the name of owners and of neighboring localities, only a few designating the name of the village head or village feudal, or of the Roman-Catolic saint perceived as protector of the respective settlement.