Abstract

The principal aims of this study are two-fold. The first is to survey previous research in the field and to discuss the main questions concerning the origins and significance of the Germanic elements in the place-names of France. To this end the work done by leading specialists from the late 19th to the mid 20th centuries is studied. By comparing their findings an attempt is made at sifting through the various hypotheses and at gaining an idea of present knowledge in this area. The second objective is to classify the different types of place-names containing Germanic elements. Using typical examples, each of these categories is examined in turn. The information derived from several thousand examples is used to produce maps showing geographic distribution of the most important place-name types. These provide new insights into the extent of Germanic settlement and its lasting influence in the Frerich-speaking world.

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