A Study on Vi̇llage Name Changes i̇n Turkey: The Case of Kağizman

Abstract

The inadequacy of the studies in the field of toponymy in Turkey and the late start compared to the west led to a lack of information about the sources of our place names. This situation has created a false perception that many of our old place names are of foreign origin, and this has led us to the ease of attributing the origin of our place names to foreign sources. As in almost every country in the world, place names have been changed in our country, and in the process of changing place names, thousands of Turkish place names have been changed, believing that they come from foreign origins together with other names. For this reason, it is important to examine and reveal our place names, which we can express as the language, identity of the place or the memory of the place, and which connect us to our past with historical ties. The fact that there are almost no studies in this field and subject in our country increases this importance even more. For this purpose, the changed village names in Kağızman district were examined and it was seen that the majority of these names consisted of Turkish names and Turkish clan and surnames. The return of these names is important for our national culture and history.