Considerations regarding the meaning of toponym Făgăraș

Abstract

The article highlights opinions about the meaning of the name Făgăraș (attested both as a toponym and as an anthroponym). In order to explain its meaning, the sources, which are extremely diverse, are documented (collections of documents, statistical and fiscal records: urbaria, conscriptions, catagraphies, parish registers, yearbooks, telephone books, internet sites, topographic maps etc.). Also, taking into account the (predominantly) meaning of the anthroponym, we have highlighted its spatial distribution, in conjunction with other words (appellatives) related to beech charcoal production (Romanian: cărbunar, mangalagiu). Based on the chrono-spatial distribution, it seems that the toponym was similar to făget (beech forest), and the anthroponym refers to the production of beech charcoal from beechwood. In both cases, both the appellative and the name (toponyms, anthroponyms) are Romanian creations (if not entirely, at least in most of them). The distribution of toponyms is closely related to the spread of the beech forests, and that of the anthroponyms is also closely related to this forest vegetation.