Medieval anthroponyms in the Castle Province of Raseborg: Study of Finnish village names based on anthroponyms

Abstract

The first article analyses Finnish village names based on personal names in the historical Castle Province of Raseborg (approximately same as current Western Uusimaa). Article focuses on examining what kind of personal names were used in Raseborg during the first half of the second millennium. It also examines the origins of these personal names and shows where the names have parallel cases in the Gulf of Finland area. Names were collected from Greta Hausen’s study Nylands ortnam (‘Place names of Nyland’) (1924), which contains recorded attestations of area’s villages and their names from the earliest one, c. 1200 AD, to the end of 16th century.

Full text

The article analyses Finnish village names based
on medieval anthroponyms in the historical Castle Province of
Raseborg (approximately current Western Uusimaa). Thus, it re-
veals what kind of anthroponyms were in use in the beginning
of second millennium in the area of Raseborg. It also examines,
what is the origin of these anthroponyms and what can settlement
names based on anthroponyms tell us about the history of Western
Nyland.
The analysis shows that Finnish village names of Castle Prov-
ince of Raseborg have most often their parallel cases in South-
western Finland and especially in the area of current Salo munici-
pality. In addition to that, Northern Estonia has a lot of similar
village names. Pre-Christian Finnic names and Christian names
are the largest naming groups. It is also notable, that most of the
studied village names are younger than the ones based on nature
names.

This article analyses Finnish village names based on medieval anthro-
ponyms (personal names) in the historical Castle Province of Rase-
borg (approximately current Western Uusimaa, which I shall refer to
as Western Nyland in a historical context). My aim is to  nd out what
kind of anthroponyms became village names and what in uenced that
naming. Through my analysis, I have been able to uncover more in-
formation about the Viking and Middle Ages in the region of Western
Nyland.
There have been only a handful of studies carried out on Finn-
ish Iron Age and early medieval anthroponyms. A lack of appropriate
sources is one reason for this. There are very few medieval sources
concerning the area of Finland (e.g. the Swedish collection Sveriges
medeltida personnamn has close to one million name cards whereas
Finlands medeltidsurkunder lists approx. ten thousand anthroponyms).
However, anthroponyms can also be studied through toponyms. This
approach assumes that old anthroponyms have been preserved in old
settlement names (e.g. Lempans < Lempo). Most of the anthroponym-
based settlement names were originally homestead names. Typically,
the younger son of the family moved on to a remote meadow and
started a new homestead. The homestead name then became a village
name (~ hamlet name) as the pioneering homestead grew bigger. It is
also good to remember that whatever the origin of the settlement name
was, it probably had been given by people outside the farm or village.
(Cf. Kepsu 1987.)
My research material consists of names of villages used in the
Castle Province of Raseborg. From these, I have selected names of
Finnish origin for my analysis. The names from the area in this study
are presented in their Swedish form. Other names will be used as they
are presented in their original sources.
This article concerns the Viking Age (which can be also called the
Late Iron Age, ca. 800 1100) and the Middle Ages (ca. 1100 1520).
This is also a time period that is very poorly known in an archaeologi-
cal sense. I should emphasise that the current area of Finland was very
different during the Viking Age and at beginning of the Middle Ages.
In uences from the west and south are clear, but many aspects are not

(cf. Haggrén et al. 2015: 290 535). The languages spoken around the
Baltic Sea at the time were different from those found today. Around
the year 1000, Finnish and Northern Estonian were in the phase of
North Finnic (Kallio 2012: 226; Frog & Saarikivi 2015: 92), Swed-
ish was in the phase of Old East Norse (Harbert 2007: 19; Lehtinen
German (Fortson 2009: 365, 370), Russian was East Slavic (Fortson
Saami (Aikio 2012: 96). The oldest non-Finnic anthroponyms, such as
Proto-Germanic *Harjawalda, could have been adopted between 100
BCE and 500 CE (Heikkilä 2014: 25).
I will start my article with background information necessary for
its topic. The main part of the work is an analysis of the selected settle-
ment names. After the analysis, I categorise the anthroponyms into
different groups based on where they came from, extending up to the
northern part of the Baltic Sea region. I will connect the  ndings of my
study to information collected from previous onomastic, archaeologi-
cal and historical research.
I have three main research questions: 1) What kinds of villages
had names based on anthroponyms within the area examined in this
study? 2) What is the origin of these anthroponyms? 3) What can set-
tlement names based on anthroponyms tell us about the history of
Western Nyland?
In the article, I use the expressions Castle Province of Rase-
borg and Western Nyland interchangeably. The Castle Province of
Raseborg was established during the 1370s. Prior to this, it was
158.) There were some minor border changes during the Middle
Ages (especially in the northwestern and northern borders of the
province). My material includes those villages that were part of
the area in the tax lists of 1540 (KA 2948) and (Tenala and Pojo)
1574 (KA 3330). The parishes (with borders as described in the
1930s) that were part of Raseborg included: Bromarv, Degerby,
Ekenäs, Esbo, Ingå, Karis, Karislojo, Kisko (only the eastern part),
Kyrkslätt, Lojo, Nummis, Pojo, Pusula, Sammatti, Sjundeå, Snap-
pertuna, Tenala and Vichtis (only the southern part). The number of
administrative parishes was lower during the Middle Ages; in the

1540s, they were the following: Esbo, Ingå, Karis, Kyrkslätt, Lojo,
Pojo, Tenala and Sjundeå.
The following map reveals even more. The bold black line marks
the borders of the Castle Province of Raseborg in 1540. The crosses
show 16th-century ecclesiastical centres.
There have been only a handful of studies of Finnish (and Finnic)
prehistoric anthroponyms. The two most widely used sources are A. V.
Pakanuudenaikainen nimistö (1891) and D. E.
Die alten ostsee nnischen Personennamen im Rah-
men eines ur nnischen Namensystems (1964). The lack of research
can be explained by dif culties of the  eld, as there are very few direct
medieval sources containing Finnish anthroponyms.

However, direct sources are not the only ones that can be used
for research into this topic: many old anthroponyms may have been
preserved in surnames, toponyms and especially settlement names.
Settlement names are the primary source for this study. These names
have their own problems when it comes to anthroponymic research,
as the origins of names based on anthroponyms, homestead names or
nature names are not always easy to prove.
During the latter half of the 20th century, the number of Germanic
loanwords in the Finnic languages attested by etymological research
had been increasingly growing. Especially, Jorma Koivulehto had
a large impact on the identi cation of the loanwords (cf. LägLoS).
Koivulehto also found Finnish toponyms which could have been of
Germanic origin (cf. Koivulehto 1987). Researchers started to  nd
more toponyms based on Germanic anthroponyms during this time.
Viljo Nissilä and Jouko Vahtola collected a large number of toponyms
which they thought had originated in this type of name (e.g. Nissilä
1980 and Vahtola 1983).
Some studies based on settlement names have brie y dealt with
anthroponyms of Western Nyland (e.g. Kepsu 2005, 2008a). The lack
of research can be explained by the same reason as for the whole
country: a lack of sources. There are even fewer medieval sources for
the Castle Province of Raseborg as compared to the historical coun-
ties of Finland Proper (Varsinais-Suomi), Tavastia (Häme) or Karelia
(Karjala).
There have not been many studies carried out on the history of West-
ern Nyland. The following section provides the current archaeological
information concerning the area. I will not go through Stone Age or
Bronze Age events in Western Nyland. I can brie y summarise that
there has been human activity in the area from the beginning of the
Neolithic Period up until the end of the Bronze Age (Haggrén et al.
The Iron Age, which lasted from approximately 500 BCE to 1100
CE in Finland, has been a poorly known period in Western Nyland. There

has been a strong claim that this rocky and, in many places, clayey area
was not able to support agriculture-based livelihoods. According to ar-
chaeological and historical studies, Western Nyland was sparsely popu-
lated until the end of the Iron Age and used only for temporary activities
such as  shing and hunting. It was only when the Swedes settled on the
shores of Western Nyland from the 12th century onwards and brought bet-
ter technology that the area could be populated. (Orrman 1991.)
However, this view has started to change. Archaeological, his-
torical and onomastic studies over recent years have shown that the
former picture of an uninhabited area is no longer correct. Palaeoeco-
logical studies clearly show that Western Nyland was home to perma-
nent human activity as early as the beginning of the Iron Age, with
permanent agriculture starting in many places around approximately
Nonetheless, many aspects of the history of the area remain unknown.
One is the question of who were cultivating  elds in the area during
the Iron Age. Kepsu (2005) has brie y dealt with this. Connections
with Estonia are also a factor that has not been dealt with. However,
archaeological facts indicate that there have been strong ties between
Southern Finland and Northern Estonia (Tvauri 2006).
First, I argue for the value of toponyms and anthroponyms as a source
for historic and linguistic studies. I also brie y show some problems
associated with them. Then I introduce the methods I use to analyse
my research material.
Archaeology is one way to solve problems concerning cultural and
linguistic diffusions that have occurred in prehistory. However, the con-
nection of archaeological  ndings to the ethnicity of people has recently
faced criticism (e.g. Lavento & Saarikivi 2012). Toponyms are not a
perfect source either, but it is an accepted fact that signs of old linguistic
and cultural in uences have been preserved in toponyms (Ainiala et
changing and developing category of names. An example of this is how

Western in uences have affected the anthroponymic system in Finland:
in the 16th century, six out of the seven most popular  rst names were
the same in Finland and Sweden (Kiviniemi 1982: 70).
One very important factor for my article is the de nition of an-
throponym. It is safe to say that the basic function of an anthroponym
is identi cation (Ainiala et al. 2012: 125). For this article, I have tried
to make sure that the chosen names are anthroponyms. This is why
I have excluded the following questionable groups: names present-
ing ethnicity (Tavast, Suomi, Lapp) and names that can be based on a
name descriptive of a place (Hiisi, Kauhala).
Moreover, so-called transferred names are problematic. It is dif-
 cult to know when a new settlement is named after the name of the
stead of origin. However, this is determined on a case-by-case basis.
I carried out my research in three stages. First, I compiled ety-
mologies for every name in my materials in order to determine the
anthroponyms used by Finns. This means looking for Finnish sound
compilations,  nding similar names, explaining naming principles
and in, many cases, checking the whole name system in the area in
question. After this procedure, I was left with a list of village names
that are presumably based on Finnish anthroponyms, along with their
etymologies and sources to prove my point of view. The same ety-
mologies are also used when I divide the anthroponyms I selected into
different groups according to their origin. I must emphasise that the
main objective of this work is not to produce new etymologies but to
determine the correct ones for every name.
Because etymologies are an important part of my study, I explain
what kinds of criteria I used when looking for the best possible ones.
However, these are closer to guiding criteria than strict rules. The full set
of criteria is meant for cases where an etymology is very controversial.
Due to space constraints, only the most valid information is explicitly
represented. The criteria are mostly based on ideas proposed by Eero
modern studies of onomastics and historical linguistics, especially those
own criteria for reliable name etymology are as follows:

1) The naming convention must be used in the vicinity.
2) Phonetic substitutions must be con rmed by parallel cases. How-
ever, it must be emphasised that anthroponyms and other seman-
tically opaque names do not always follow the same phonological
changes as appellatives (Bakken 1997). Moreover, so-called etymo-
logical nativisation (Aikio 2006) must be taken into consideration.
3) The semantics of the name must correspond to geographic, his-
torical and linguistic characteristics of the name (e.g. Värby
could be based on the adjective väärä
both old and current maps, there has not been any cape or other
natural feature that appears crooked).
4) Off all the different etymologies, the most common is the most
likely.
The second stage can be described as proposing estimations of the
analysed villages were created. Instructive criteria are as follows:
1) The name is noted in early medieval documents. This criterion is
very simple. If the name was noted in a 14th-century document,
it was created prior to it.
2) The village in question had a high taxation value. In the Castle
Province of Raseborg, villages were valued with a tax unit called
skattmark. I have used tax lists from 1540 (and 1574 for Pojo and
Tenala) for this study. The common rule is that the older the par-
However, the sizes of the villages were constantly changing. A
larger village might have been a merger of two older ones or vice
versa. These problems can be resolved on an individual basis by
studying old documents, the location of land property and old
borders between villages.
3) The number of farms in the parish. Old villages had many farms
that developed by splitting off from old farms and establishing
new cultivations. The number of farms in the old villages did not
change as rapidly as in younger ones.
4) The village had central role in its common land division. Villages
in medieval Finland formed common land divisions (jakokunta)

that shared rights to forestland, waters and some meadows.
These villages probably had common origins. The oldest village
usually owned the best parts of the land within the common land
division. (Kerkkonen 1945: 125).
5) The village was head of its tax bol. Group of villages formed
a bol (a unit of taxation) which paid a speci c amount of tax.
Usually the name villages of the bol were also the oldest ones.
The third
called typological-geographic research. The emergence and distribution
of names or name elements are geographically analysed (Ainiala et al.
2012: 48). This way, it is possible to make observations about where a
name has been used and how it was distributed. My comparison mate-
rial consists of medieval documents (REA, FMU, SAYL) and toponyms
from the National Land Survey of Finland (KKP) as well as toponyms
collected for the archives of the Institute for the Languages of Finland
(NA). Estonian comparisons are made based on the place name collec-
tion Eesti kohanimeraamat (unpublished internet database).
The research material consists of village names that were used in the Cas-
tle Province of Raseborg in 1540 when the  rst complete taxation docu-
ment was written (in the case of the medieval parishes of Pojo and Tenala,
Nylands ortnam (NO) (1924), which includes medieval entries and name
source, and it has never received any criticism regarding its credibility.
I chose village names from Hausen that are clearly based on Finnish an-
throponyms in line with the explanation in the methodology section. The
taxation information was collected from two sources: mostly from KA
2948, with the details of the parishes of Bromarv, Karislojo, Kisko, Pojo,
Sammatti and Tenala (medieval parishes Pojo and Tenala) from KA 3330.

The following is the list of names I have chosen for this study. They
are presented alphabetically according to their parishes. The names
are in Swedish or in the form used in NO. I have presented the oldest
forms of the name after it (one to three, depending of the case). The
asterisk (*) following a name means that the name form is from the
copy of the original document. I have provided the pronunciation of
the name in italics, if it is available (NA or SLS), written as it would
be pronounced in Finnish. Following this is what would be the most
probable form of the anthroponym used in the settlement name (with
the < sign, e.g. Marttila < *Martti). I have marked all reconstructed
names with an asterisk preceding the name. If the reconstructed an-
throponym has been noted in old Finnish documents (FMU, REA,
DF) or in anthroponym collections (PAN, PNR), I have included an
example of it (e.g. *Sakko
anthroponyms found on runestones (2007) is also often used to show
if the name had been used during the Viking Age. The following < sign
means an earlier form of the name (e.g. *Martti < Mårten Swed.). The
origin of the name can also be more precisely presented if necessary
(e.g. Mårten Swed. < Martinus Lat.). A slash (/) means that there are
two or more probable explanations for the name (Torhola < *Torho <
[Thordh < Thorsten (cf. Thors 1959: 92) / torho
s.v. Torhola). The most probable origin is underlined. Sources sup-
porting the etymologies are found in parentheses. After all of this in-
formation, I provide a full explanation of the name. This usually starts
with a brief e stimation of the age of the village.
If a name has parallel occurrences inside the area examined in
this study, I have indicated it (cf. Karislojo: Immula). More informa-
tion about the name is given in boldface. I have additionally presented
similar anthroponym-based village names that are situated in the vi-
cinity of approximately 100 kilometres (parallel names = PN). These
have been selected from NA and KKP. The municipality of the village
mentioned is found in parentheses. The Borders of municipalities are
coast of Estonia (the regions of Harju, Hiiu, Idä-Viru, Lääne, Lääne-
Viru and Saare) (taken from LCD and KNR).

Finally, I state which kind of group the name can be put into. The
groups are based on the origin of the anthroponym. I must emphasise
that these groups are only instructive. The purpose is to show from
what kinds of cultural in uences Finns (and other Finnic speakers) got
their anthroponyms. These groups are: Christian, Finnic, Germanic,
Scandinavian and uncertain origin. I should point out that this cul-
tural division is not chronological. This is why I present Germanic
and Scandinavian anthroponyms separately, even though the latter is a
subcategory of the former. Moreover, Christian anthroponyms are in a
category that includes names from many languages and different time
periods, but those I have selected spread to the Finnic areas along wite
Christian culture.
Padva Padua 1551, Padhua 1552; padva
< [Paulus / Patrik] (FSBN s.v. Padva). A medieval village (1 mrk). It
has been part of the tax bol called Vättlax. Padva is an opaque name
in Finland. The Estonian village Päädeva had the older forms Padwa
and Pedua which are thought to be derived from the Finnic anthropo-
nym Päivä (Est. Päev) (KNR s.v. Päädeva). This development seems
unlikely. FSBN suggests that the name could have derived from the
Christian nams Paulus or Patrik. Again, this seems unlikely because
no parallel cases can be found. Uncertain origin.
Pargas Pargas bol 1451, Pargasby 1549; pargas
< *Par a(sen) (cf. Pitkänen 1985: 305) > [Par(j)oi, Par(o)i-kka (cf.
KNR s.v. Parila, cf. SPNK s.v. Parola, REA s.v. 384, 418, 421)]. PN:
Pargas (Parainen). Est. PN: Parila (Anija, Lääne-Saare). Pargas is an
old and large village (7 homesteads, 8 mrk). The number of settle-
ment names with the speci c element Para/i/o in Finland and Estonia
suggests that it was originally an anthroponym (KNR, KKP). How-
ever, there is a problem in connecting the name elements Par a- and
Para/o- to one another. If they were of the same origin, the former
should be considered an older form (Lehtinen 2007: 177). Swedish
settlers that arrived between the 11th and 13th centuries, had borrowed

the name with the (voiced velar fricative) still present (at least in
Pargas (Parainen)). This means that names Para-, Pari, and Paro-
would be younger, which is unlikely because of their distribution close
to Iron Age centres in Estonia and Finland (KNR; KKP; Raninen &
Wessman 2015: 299; Tvauri 2006). It is possible that the name Pargas
is a transferred name from Pargas (Parainen). (Uncertain) Finnic.
Rekuby Rekoby 1549; räkuby
< *Reko (FMU4: 93) < Gregorius Lat. (SN s.v. Rekola, PRN: 156).
PN: Kemiönsaari: Reku. A medieval village (2.17 mrk). At the begin-
ning of the second millennium, the area of Rekuby was a great deal
smaller because the sea level was higher (on account of the land rising
3 millimetres a year). Many names around Rekuby are Finnish (Kan-
sjärv, Orvlax, Sarvlax, etc. (KKP)). Christian.
Karvasbacka Karfwädzbacka* 1492, Karusbacka 1540; karrvasbakka
< *Karvas(en) < [karvas, karvainen kar-
vas + mäki (Kepsu 2008a: 57). PN: Karviainen
(Halikko). Est. PN: Karla (Kose, Rae), Karula (Vihula). The speci c
part Karvas- is probably based on a Finnish expression because the
area was inhabited 
the notation of Estonian Karla (Kose) is so old (1241 Karol) that it
could also be counted as pre-Christian (prior to the 12th and 13th cen-
turies). The tax value (2.75 mrk) and location of Karvasbacka could
point to a prehistoric settlement but nothing is certain. Karvasbacka
could also be based on an appellative describing the place such as in
the name Koverhar (1410 Karffvusarhe (FSBN s.v. Koverhar)), but
the speci c part is used more often as a settlement name than a nature
name (KKP). Most Karva- anthroponyms have been found in Eastern
Finland (SN s.v. Karvonen), but several can be found in the west as
well (e.g. in Kyrkslätt morthn karffua 1545 (Kepsu 2008a: 58). Finnic.
Kurtby Kurtthebacka 1540, Kurittbacka 1544; kurtbakka
< *Kurittu 4
Kurittu). Compare to Kyrkslätt: Kuritans. PN: Kurittula (Masku).

Kurtby is probably older than Kuritans of Kyrkslätt because the tax
value and the size are larger: 2.625 mrk. However, it is unlikely that
Kurtby would have been named during pre-Christian times. Finnic.
Oitans Oijttila 1549, Oijtaböle 1552; åjtans
Compare to Kyrkslätt: Oitbacka and Nummis: Oittila. A small medi-
eval village (0.5 mrk). (Uncertain) Finnic.
Heimos Heijmosby* 1526, Heijmos 1540; heimus
< *Heimos(en) < [Heimr East Norse (Peterson 2007: 127) / Haim Old
Saxon (cf. DWB) / Heimo (PAN: 164, 191)] (SN s.v. Heimonen).
PN: Nummis: Heimola. PN. Est: Ehmja (Martna). An old and wealthy
village (2 homesteads, 6 mrk). The village may have already been es-
tablished in the Viking Age. Heimos is in the same common land divi-
sion as the neighbouring Joddböle (1.5 mrk) and Österby (7 mrk) (TK:
1:5 Lohja). Heimos must be the original settlement because Österby
Heimos. Hei-
mo-names are thought to be of Germanic origin (SN s.v. Heimonen).
It was also used during the Viking Age (Peterson 2007: 127), but there
are no notations of Heim- or Haim- anthroponyms in SMP. Toponyms
with the speci c part Heimo- are mostly located in Eastern Finland
(KKP). This name has also been used in Estonia (KNR). (Uncertain)
Germanic.
Ahtiala Actila 1549, Achtila 1564; ahtlaa
Compare to Lojo: Ahtiala. Probably established around the 14th and
15th centuries (1 homestead, 1.5 mrk). Germanic.
Immola Immalla* 1521, Jmmos 1547; immula
Compare to Lojo: Immula, Nummis: (Över-)Immula. The village is
too small to be named directly after a pre-Christian Germanic name
(1 mrk). Could be a transferred name. Germanic.

Kattelus Kattilunxby 1547, Kattilus 1550; katlus
< *Kattilus (FMU7: 227) < [Kætil- Old Norse (Peterson 2007: 154)
/ Catillus Lat. (Kepsu 2008b: 61)]. PN: Kattelus (Koski TL). An old
and large village (4 homesteads 4 mrk). Popular as a settlement name
in Southern Finland (KKP). Christian Catillus is the most probable
origin but Kætil- (Ketil-) was also a popular anthroponym element in
Viking Age Scandinavia (Peterson 2007: 154) and later on in medi-
eval Sweden (SMP). On some occasions, Kætil had been entered in
the Latin form of Catillus. This is why it is dif cult to know exactly
what the origin may be. The name could originally have been given
by Swedish settlers, as had happened with other villages in southern
Karislojo (Kepsu 2008b). We should point out that many settlement
names in the vicinity are Swedish: Lönnhammar, Tallnäs, Valtarby,
etc. (Cf. Kepsu 2008b). Scandinavian.
Pipola Pipola 1547, Pippola 1549; pipola
< *Pipo < [Philippus Lat. / Petrus (Pie + ppo) / Bibo, Bibbo, Pipo
Germ.] (SN s.v. Piippo, Kepsu 2008b: 131). PN: Piiponoja (Maaria).
Pipola is such a small village (0.75 mrk) that it cannot be old. Pho-
netically, the name is most likely of Germanic origin, but it was not
used in medieval Sweden. Philippus and Petrus were popular names
in Sweden and Finland (SMP, FMU). (Uncertain) Christian.
Sakkola Sackola 1547, Sackolaby 1559; sakkola
< [*Sakko (REA: 478) < Sakarias / Sakeus / Iisak (SN s.v. Sakko,
Kepsu 2008b: 152)] / Sako (cf. KNR s.v. Saka, Sakala). Est. PN: Sako
(Kohtla). This name type has old records in Finland: Sak 1406, Sa-
kos 1373, Sakko 1464 (REA: 233, 148, 478). However, Sakkola is
too small a village (0.625 mrk) to have had a pre-Christian name.
The name Sako has been entered as a hypocorism of Sakeus (NA).
Christian.
Aijala Aijala* 1503, Aiala 1552
< *Aija (PAN: 128) < [Aio, Aia, Aiga Germ. / Aghe, Aghi etc. Swed.]
(SPNK s.v. Aijala) / Aika (PAN: 153). Could be of the same origin as

Ai-kka-names (KKP). Phonetically, it is most likely of Germanic origin
but there are no entries in from the Viking Age or medieval Sweden. The
development from Swedish Aghe, etc. is also possible (cf. Ragnvald >
Raikku (SPNK s.v. Raikku)). Aijala itself is probably too young to be a
village from the Iron Age (2.125 mrk). (Uncertain) Germanic.
Kaijala Kaijala 1547, Kaiala 1552
< *Kaija < [Cayo, Caye (PNR: 33, cf. KNR s.v. Vana-Kaiu) / kaija
Kaija < Kaarin (SN s.v. Kaijala, EN
s.v. Kaarina)]. Compare to Lojo: Kaijala. The Christian female name
Kaija would be the easiest choice of origin, but a female name for a
village name is very rare. The village is too young to be from the Iron
Age (2 mrk). (Uncertain) Finnic.
Kavasto Cafwasto by* 1503, Kauast 1549
< *Kavo(i) (REA s.v. 427, 187) < [kavo
Kauon (gen.) <
Kauko (PRN: 36, SPNK s.v. Kauvatsa, SN s.v. Kauko)]. PN: Kava-
lo (Sauvo), Kavalo (Piikkiö), Kavantola (Halikko). Est. PN: Kavas-
tu (Haljala). It seems that the anthroponym Kavo(i) was used in pre-
Christian times, both in Finland and in Estonia. However, Kavasto is
too young to be a village from the Iron Age (2 mrk). Finnic.
Lankila Langila 1549, Langela 1556
Compare to Vichtis: Langila. Late medieval (established during the
15th century or after) village (0.67 mrk). Scandinavian.
Leilä Leijala 1552, Leinickala 1552
< *Leinikka (PAN: 164) < [Lein, Leineke Germ. (SPNK s.v. Leiniä-
lä) / < Leinward (ibid.) / < leina, leini, leino
PN: Leinakkala (Aura), Leiniälä (Hattula). Est. PN: Leina (Pihtla). Par-
allel cases to the name are found in areas that were Iron Age centres
of Finland (KKP; Raninen & Wessman 2015: 299). However, Leilä is
too young to be a village from the Iron Age (2.25 mrk). The name is
thought to be of German origin (SPNK s.v. Leiniälä), but its different
variants were also well known in medieval Sweden (SMP). Germanic.

Sorttila Suarttela 1549, Swartila 1552
< *Svarte Swed. (REA s.v. 154, 310, 308 etc., FSBN s.v. Svartböle).
Svart(e)- was a popular anthroponym in Sweden during the Middle
Ages and earlier (SMP, Peterson 2007: 211). Sorttila must be a medi-
eval village (1.375 mrk). Scandinavian.
Hullus Hulloszby 1540, Hullandzby 1541; hullus
< [*Hullus(en) < hullu
lage Hullo on island of Vormsi (Estonia) which was populated by
Swedes (KNR s.v. Hullo))]. A medieval village (1 mrk). The name
could be of Finnish origin because the villages Jorvas and Finnby
(KKP) are close by. Finnic.
Jorvas Joruebacka 1540, Jorvebacka 1541; jårrvas
< *Jurvas(en) < Georgios (FSBN s.v. Jorvas, Kepsu 2005: 39). PN:
Jurvala (Somero). A medieval village (1.41 mrk). Jurva- names are
centred in Eastern Finland but some are also found in the west (KKP).
Christian.
Kuritans Kurtheby 1540, Kurteby 1541, Kurittby 1543
Compare to Esbo: Kurtby. A medieval village (1 mrk). Finnic.
Leivosböle Leualsböle 1540, Leuasböle 1541
< *Leivos(en) < leivo
mäki) / < Levald Swed. (FSBN s.v. Leivosböle). Est. PN: Lõo (1565:
Leyuo) (Hanila). A medieval village (2 mrk). It is most probable that
it is of Finnish origin because there were a great deal of Finnish topo-
nyms in the vicinity (KKP, MHA B19 4/1-4). The anthroponym was
not noted in early medieval Finnish sources (REA, FMU). Finnic.
Oitbacka Othebacka 1540, Ottebacka 1541; åjttbakka
Compare to Esbo: Oitans and Nummis: Oittila. A medieval village
(1 mrk). (Uncertain) Finnic.

Porkala Purkal approx. 1250, Porkall 1429, Porkala 1540; pårkkala
< *Porkka < Bork-, Burg-, Fork- Germ. (SN s.v. Porkka) / < *Porkkalaksi
(FSBN s.v. Porkala). PN: Porkkala (Lammi). During the Viking Age, the
name element -borg-
47). The number of settlement names with the speci c part Porkka- indi-
cates that it had been an anthroponym in Finland (NA). On the other hand,
important capes such as Porkkalanniemi are usually nature names. The
oldest record of the place is from the 13th century. (Uncertain) Germanic.
Vitkars Wittkalaby 1540, Witkallaby 1544
< *Vitikka (REA s.v. 554)) < Witicha, Wittke, Wedecke, Witecke Germ.
(SN s.v. Vitikka, FSBN s.v. Vitkars). Located next to Finnby. Vitkars is
a small village (1 mrk), which means it is medieval. The name occurs in
some records from medieval Sweden (SMP). Vitik- was noted many times
in old Finnish documents (e.g. FMU2: 46, 270, 300). In Estonia, there
have been many records from the 16th century and onward (KNR). The
name is a sign of Low German (~ Low Saxon) in uence, which started
with the Hanseatic League (of cially established in 1358). Germanic.
Värby Waerns 1538, Werreleby 1540, Verrallaby 1541; väärby
< *Verre (REA s.v. 384) < [Vermund Swed. / Wernick Germ.] (SN s.v.
Verronen, Värri) / < väärä viere-
 x -la reveals that the
name was used by Finnish-speaking people. The name Värby is based
on the homestead Värans, which means, with high probability, that name
is based on an anthroponym. The village is quite young (1.83 mrk), and
clearly was a new settlement on the land of Friggesby. Uncertain origin.
Ytterkurk Thammikyle 1540, Kuurckby 1564
< *Kurki (DF s.v. 3706) < kurki
kurk). Compare to Kyrkslätt: Överkurk. PN: Kurkela (Kisko, Kuusjoki),
Kurki (Paimio). Est. PN: Kurevere (Kiili, Martna, Kihelkonna), Kurena
(Kose), Kurgla (Raasiku), Kurkse (Padise), Mägi-, Paju-Kurdla (Laimja-
la). Kurki has many notations as an antroponym in old Finnish documents
(e.g. FMU1: 116, 147, 482). Moreover, many of the names Kurg-, Kure-,
etc. in Estonia are thought to have been named after a person (KNR). It is
a small village (1.5 mrk) with only one homestead. Finnic.

Överkurk Kurkeby 1540, Kurkela 1549
Compare to Kyrkslätt: Ytterkurk. A medieval village (1 mrk).
Finnic.
Ahtiala Actthila 1540, Actila 1549; ahtiala, ahtela
< *Ahti (FMU5: 140) < [Ahti, Ahto etc. Germ. (Heikkilä 2013, SN s.v.
Ahti) / Ahti
la)]. Compare to Karislojo: Ahtila. PN: Ahtiala (Halikko, Suomusjärvi).
A small and young village (0.75 mrk). The anthroponym probably origi-
nally derived from a Low German male name (Heikkilä 2013: 74), but
forms such as Atte, Aatthe and Acto were used in medieval Sweden as
Ahti-
ala is located on an island in the lake Lohjanjärvi. Germanic.
Andela Andela 1540; anteela (name of a  eld where the village was
located)
< *Ante (REA s.v. 301) < Anders Swed. < Andreas Greek (EN s.v.
Antti, SN s.v. Anttila). PN: Antola (Halikko), Anttila (Paimio). Est. PN:
Andi (Vihula). A medieval village (0.75mrk). Christian.
Askola Askos 1540, Askola 1544; askola
< *Asko (Askonen FMU1: 501) < Askold < Eskil (SPNK s.v. Askola,
Peterson 2007: 31). Compare to Sjundeå: Aiskos. PN: Askala (Paimio).
Est. PN: Askælæ (1241, current Lüganuse kihelkond, KNR s.v. Lüga-
nuse). Quite an old and large village (3 homesteads, 3 mrk). According
to old documents, villages such as Teutari and Veijola owned land in
Lohjansaari (an island where Askola is located), which means that Askola
is younger than these villages (Ylikangas 1973: 64). Scandinavian.
Hermala Hermela 1540, Hermele 1543; hermala
< *Herman Germ. (FMU2: 14, SN s.v. Hermunen, REA s.v. 102, 475).
An early medieval village (3.33 mrk), compare to Lojo: Askola. Her-
man is originally a pagan Germanic name, but it has also been wide-
Est. PN: Härma (Emmaste). Christian.

Humppila Humpila 1540, Humpell 1543; humppela, humppila
< *Humppi < [Humpe Swed. (REA s.v. 524) / humppa
hump 
PN: Humppila (Humppila). The village is quite small and young (1
mrk). It is possibly of Swedish origin, but Humpe was noted only a
couple of times in medieval Swedish sources (Peterson 2007; SMP).
This is why the possibility of it being of Finnish origin is also not im-
probable. (Uncertain) Scandinavian.
Immula Immala 1508, Jmmola 1514; immula
< *Immo, *Immu < [Imma Germ. (SN s.v. Immonen) / Immanuel Lat.
(ibid.) / Ingemar Old Swedish, Swed. (Cf. Peterson 2007: 138)]. Com-
pare to Karislojo: Immola, Nummis: (Över-)Immula. PN: Immainen
(Paimio), Immala (Halikko), Immola (Karislojo). Est. PN: Emmuvere
(Ridala), Imavere (Orissaare). An early medieval village (3.5 mrk).
The distribution of Immo/u- names in Estonia and in Finland suggests
that this name type was used in the Viking Age (KNR, KKP). This
is why it is unlikely to be of Christian origin, at least when it comes
to the oldest occurrences. Phonetically, Germanic Imma is the most
likely etymon. The names Imatke and Immake are recorded in 13th
century Livonia (PNR: 31). Old Swedish Ingemar is also a good can-
didate for its etymon (at least in Finland) because it was a fairly popu-
lar name in Sweden during the Middle Ages (SMP), but this choice is
more problematic phonetically. (Uncertain) Germanic.
Jantoniemi Jenthela 1540, Jänttälä 1549; jantuniemi
< *Janttu, *Jäntti < Johannes Swed. (SN s.v. Jantunen, Jäntti; SPNK
s.v. Jantoniemi). A medieval village (1.125 mrk). Christian.
Kaijola Kaijola 1540; kaijola
Compare to Kisko: Kaijala. The tax value is so low (0.67) that the
village must be considered late medieval. It was probably established
within the area of Karstu. (Uncertain) Finnic.
Karstu Karstho* 1463, Karstuby* 1447; karstu
< *? < [Kare Swed. (Thors 1959: 66) / karsittu
Karstu) / Karsten (ibid.) / karisto (kari sto) (cf. village

Karnainen in Lojo)]. PN: Karstu (Sammatti). The simplest expla-
nation would be that the name is of Christian origin, but Karstu
has many features that suggest it was an old settlement. It had a
high tax value (5 mrk), many farms (11) and it was the central vil-
lage in its common land division. There is only one medieval nota-
tion of Karsten in Sweden, but Kare has been recorded more often
(Peterson 2007: 146; SMP). The origin of the name could have
been Kareist(en), and after syncope it would have been Karsto/u.
Compare to Karste Est. (Kanepi) (possibly Karsch + ste (KNR s.v.
Karste). Karsten had some records in Estonia (Low German in u-
ence) (KNR). Uncertain origin.
Kihelä Kijhila 1540, Kijhijla 1544; kihilä
< *Kihi < kihi ?. PN: Kihinen (Halikko). A late medieval village (0.75
mrk). There are some parallel homestead names in Southern Fin-
land (KKP). Kihi- has various different meanings in Finnish dialects
(SMSK), which means that it is probably a descriptive name. Many
Kihi- hydronyms are explained by the sound kihi
Koikkala Kåijckala 1540; koikkala
< *Koikka < koikele, koikeli
s.v. koikeli, SN s.v. Koikkalainen). Est. PN: Koigi (Pöide). There
are very old Koik- names in Estonia. The oldest was  rst noted
in 1241 (Koici) (KNR s.v. Koigi2). This suggests that the name
Koik- was already being used during the Iron Age. Koikkala is too
small a village to be from the Iron Age (0.83 mrk). The distribution
of Koikka- settlement names shows that it was also used later on
(KKP). Finnic.
Kouvola Kofvola* 1514, Koffuola 1540
*Kouvo (REA s.v. 553, PRN: 39) < kouvo
(SPNK s.v. Kouvola). PN: Kouvala (Hattula). Kouvo is an old Finnic
name (PNR: 39) but it was used also later (many homestead names
with the speci c part Kouvo- all around the Finland (KKP)). Kouvola
in Lojo is probably too small a village to be considered a pre-Christian
settlement (2 mrk). Finnic.

Kutsila Kutzila* 1404, Gussila 1540; kutsila ~ kussila
< *Kutsi < [Gutze Swed. (cf. Thors 1959: 45) / Gustav Swed. (cf.
SMP)]. Could have been an early medieval village (2.75 mrk). The
name is used in SMP but not on runestones (Peterson 2007). Kutsi
can be borrowed from Swedes or it is inhabited by them (nearby vil-
lages Suittila and Kärri, which are both probably of Swedish origin).
Scandinavian.
Maikkala Maijkala* 1417, Maykal 1538; maikkala
< *Maikka (REA s.v. 476, PNR: 49) < [Magnus Swed. Lat. (SN s.v.
Maikola, SPNK s.v. Maikkula) / Magni Swed. (Peterson 2007: 162) /
Majken Swed. < Maria (female) (EN s.v. Maikki)]. Compare to Num-
mis: Maikkala. PN: Maikkala (Vihti). Could have been an early medi-
eval village (3.5 mrk). Magnus was a very popular name during the
Middle Ages. The usual Finnish form of the name is Maunu (EN s.v.
Maunu), but the development Mag + kka > Maikka is also logical (Cf.
Ragnvald > Raikku (SPNK s.v. Raikku)). Christian.
Marttila Martthela 1540; marttila
< *Martti < Mårten Swed. (DF s.v. 832, SN s.v. Marttila, SPNK s.v.
Marttila). PN: Marttila (Angelniemi, Kisko, Kärkölä, Marttila). Est.
PN: Martna (Martna), Martsa (Toila). A medieval or early medieval
village (3 mrk). Compare to Lojo: Askola. Christian.
Mynterlä Mijndherla 1540, Mijnderla 1544; mynterlä
< *Mynttari < [Esmund, Gudmund, etc. (SN s.v. Myntti) / Myntare
area. Names of village close by, for example Kutsila and Suittila, might
be of Swedish origin. PN: Myntböle (Esbo). (Uncertain) Scandinavian.
Muijala Muijala 1529, Muiala 1538
< *Muija < [muija
(2 mrk). Since the word muija is such a new Swedish loan, it is dif -
cult to believe it would have been the original meaning of the speci c
element (ibid.). In Myrskylä, muija had been used with a meaning of

Pulli Pullis 1540; pulli
< *Pulli < [Bulle Germ. (SN s.v. Pulli) / bulle
pulli)]. Est. PN: Puliste (Pühalepa), Pulli (Orissaare). A medieval vil-
lage (1.75 mrk and one homestead). The dialectical word pulli is not
known in southern Finland (SSA s.v. pulli), but as a homestead name,
Pulli- occur there (KKP). Bulle is noted on Scandinavian runestones
(Peterson 2007: 52) but not during the Midde Ages (SMP). Germanic.
Röylä Röhölä 1540, Rödlä 1553; röylä
< *Röð < röd Rödh REA s.v. 365). PN: Röölä ~ Röödilä
(Rymättylä). A medieval village (2 mrk). The name is clearly based on
a Swedish anthroponym that is derived from the adjective röd
The Old Swedish form of the adjective was röþer (SAOB s.v. Röd)
but the anthroponym had been written as either Rødh or Rödh on rune-
stones and in medieval documents (Peterson 2007: 182; SMP). The
phoneme /h/ can be explained by its presence in the local dialect (cf.
Röhkälä (Nummis) or Torhola (Lojo)). Scandinavian.
Talpela Talpela 1540, Talpila 1560; talpela
< *Talpia (PAN: 181). A medieval village (2.125 mrk). Talpia is not
noted in any early medieval documents (REA, FMU). (Uncertain)
Finnic.
Torhola Torrola 1540, Thorrola 1541
< *Torho, *Torro (FMU7: 188) < [Thordh < Thorsten (cf. Thors 1959:
92) / torho
Torhola. PN: Torhola (Hausjärvi). A medieval or late medieval village
(1 mrk). Thorsten, with its parallel forms, had been a very popular
name in Sweden and Finland during the Middle Ages (SMP, REA,
FMU). Scandinavian.
Vaanila Vanila* 1442, Vahela 1540, Vanill 1551; vaanila
< *Vaani < [Vaania (PNR: 173) / vana
PN: Vaanila (Sauvo). Vaanila of Lojo had been newly established
in 1404 when Anders Vana is noted as a single owner of his lands
(Ylikangas 1973: 64). The tax value was 2.25 mrk. The number of set-
tlement names with the element Vaani- suggests that it was originally

an anthroponym. The distribution of these names is concentrated in
Southwest Finland (KKP). The name may be old but is probably not
from the Iron Age. (Uncertain) Finnic.
Vabby Wappula* 1417, Vappola 1540; vappula
< *Vappu < Valborg Female Swed. (DF s.v. 1327, SN s.v. Vappula).
An old and large village (7 mrk). For this reason, a female Christian
name is a bit questionable as an etymon. Christian.
Varola Warola 1514, Varela 1540; varola
< *Varo (REA s.v. 369) < [varo
ronen) / Varg varjo
vare
(0.33 mrk) that it must be late medieval and probably separated off
from the village of Outamo. Finnic.
Veiby Waijaby* 1417, Veiby, Weijby* 1442; veijjola ~ veijula
< *Veijo (FMU4: 381) < veijo
Compare to Sjundeå: Vejans. According to local tradition (written
down in the 16th
tax value was 2 mrk. Vejans in Sjundeå is probably connected to Veiby
because of the closeness between the locations. Finnic.
Ventelä Wendele, Wändelä* 1538, Vendela 1540
< *Vente < [Vende, Winde, Vindo Germ. (SN s.v. Ventelä, SPNK s.v. Ven-
telä) / Vent(e) Est. < Venceslaus Medieval Slavic (cf. KNR s.v. Vendise).
Est. PN: Vendise (Lääne-Saare). A medieval village (1 mrk). Germanic.
Virkby Wirkeby* 1417, Virkala 1540; virkkala
< Virkki < [Virgilius (SN s.v. Virkki, FSBN s.v. Virkby)]. Est. PN: Virla
(Kose) (1241 Wircol, 1524 Virgell). The villages (Kyrkstad, Jönsbole,
etc.) southwest of Virkby are a part of Swedish immigrancy from Sjundeå
northwards. This could mean that Virkkala is a medieval settlement as
well, and was named by the Swedes. On the other hand, Virkby is larger (4
mrk) and older than the Swedish villages close by. (Uncertain) Christian.

Haarla Halala 1514, Haela 1540, Hahla 1596
< *Hal(l)i Germ. (Pan: 180, SN s.v. Halinen, cf. SPNK s.v. Halikko,
Halinen). PN: Halikko (Halikko, Koski TL), Halila (Lammi), Halinen
(Turku), Halela (Sauvo), Hallila (Myrskylä). Est. PN: Haljala (Haljala)
(1241 Halela). Hal(l)i- names were known in medieval Sweden and
earlier as well (Peterson 2007:104; SMP). The change from Hal(l)ila
to Haarla happened analogically (cf. Mynterlä, Sierla, Sitarla, herlaa
(Herrala)). Haarla is a young village (1 mrk) and that is why it could
not have been named directly after a settler with a pre-Christian name.
The name was probably transferred from some of the nearby villag-
es having similar names. Many of the Hali- villages were located in
places with rich Iron Age activity (KKP; Raninen & Wessman 2015:
299). Germanic.
Heijala Heijela 1540, Heijälä 1549; heijala
< *Heija < [Hei- < Henrik Swed. (c.f. EN s.v. Heikki) / heija
homestead names with the speci c element Heija-. It is very likely
based on an anthroponym. Christian.
Hyvälä Hyvälä by* 1446, Höväla* 1514, Höwilä 1540; hyvelä ~
hyvölä
< *Hyvä- (SN s.v. Hyvärinen; PRN: 20). PN: Hyvikkälä (Hauho), Hy-
vinkää ~ Hyvinge (Hyvinkää), Hyvättylä (Lieto). According to local
tradition, Hyvälä may be the oldest settlement in Nummis (Jussila
1977: 10). It probably is not, but it could have been inhabited around
the 14th century (2.67 mrk, 8 homesteads and a large area). Finnic.
Jakova Jacowala* 1514, Kanthornemj 1540, Jacola 1551; jakova
< *Jakob (FMU1: 146, SN s.v. Jakola). Householder Jacko from Num-
mis is noted in 1447 and he sas probably from Jacowala (Jussila 1977:
13). The village is probably older because the tax value is fairly high
(2.75 mrk). Christian.

Kovela Kofwela* 1514, Kowela 1514; kovela
< *Kove < Kovo (REA s.v. 553; SN s.v. Kovala). A medieval village
(1.5 mrk). The name form Kofwela, dated to 1514, gives the im-
pression that there was the diphthong ou in the  rst syllable. In this
case, the name may have been Kouvo-. However, there are plenty of
names with the speci c element Kove- (NA). SN believes that Kova-
names were based on the Finnish adjective kova
Kovala). Finnic.
Luttula Lutthela 1540, Luttula 1543; luttula
< *Luttu < [Ludde, Ludhin Scand. (DF s.v. 1716) < (uncertain) Ludwig
Germ. (SN s.v.Luttinen) / Lucianus (ibid.)]. PN: Luttula ~ Jönsböle
(Lojo). A medieval village (1.33 mrk). It is dif cult to say if Luttula is
based on Ludde, Ludhin names or on Ludwig. Both were known in late
Viking Age Sweden, as well as later on (Peterson 2007: 161; SMP;
SDHK). However, it is pretty clear that the anthroponym *Luttu came
from Sweden. Scandinavian.
Maikkala Maijckala 1540; maikkala
Compare to Lojo: Maikkala. A medieval village (1.67 mrk). Christian.
Maskila Missekola* 1456, Maskela 1540; maskila
< *Maski < Masco, Masgo Germ. (FSBN s.v. Masko). PN: Masku
(Masku). It is dif cult to know the origin of the name. Neither Ger-
manic suggestion has been noted on runestones or in medieval docu-
ments (Peterson 2007; SMP). The oldest name form suggests the
possibility of syncope. There are a couple of other Maski- names in
Southern Finlanddthat might have undergone a similar development.
The tax value of Maskila is so small (1 mrk) that if the name has been
transferred from somewhere, the only possible origin if pre-Christian.
(Uncertain) Germanic.
Miemola Memola 1540, Memoila 1556; miamola
< *Miemo, *Memo Germ. (PNR: 58). PN: Miemala (Vanaja). Neither
Germanic suggestion has been noted on runestones or in medieval
documents (Peterson 2007, SMP). Miemola is such a small village
(1 mrk) that it is very unlikely that it would have been named directly

after pre-Christian Miemo, Memo. The name was probably transferred
from the old Tavastia region. Miemo- had also been used in many set-
tlement names in Estonia (KNR). Germanic.
Millola Myllyla 1540, Mijllela 1543; millola ~ milloila
< *Millo, *Mille < [Mille Germ. (PNR: 60, 155) / Mielo (SN s.v. Mie-
lonen; PNR: 60) / mylly PN. Est.: Miila (Rägavere). Millola
is one of the oldest villages in its area (2.25 mrk). It may have been
named after the word mylly because there are rapids (Koski fors PK:
2041 02) close by. On the other hand, the current location of the vil-
lage is not close to any rapids (TK Lohja). It is also dif cult to prove if
it is of Germanic origin because it was not known in Sweden (Peterson
2007; SMP). Uncertain origin.
Mommola Mummula 1540, Mommola 1549; mommola
< *Mommo < [Mommo, Momme, Mommi Germ. (SPNK s.v. Mommi-
la) < Mombert Germ. ? / mommo
274)]. PN: Mommila (Hausjärvi, Lammi). No Germanic suggestions
have been noted on runestones or in medieval documents (Peterson
2007, SMP). The village is too small to be named after a pre-Christian
name (1 mrk). It is probably a transferred name from the old Tavastia
region. Mommo is thought to be a naming principle for some names in
Estonia (KNR). (Uncertain) Germanic.
Näkkilä Näckile 1529, Neckyla 1540; näkkilä
< *Näkki < [näkki Näkki
separated off from the village of Paksalo. The Swedish word sneck,
snäcka was not used as an anthroponym during the Middle Ages
(SMP). It is unlikely that Finnish word näkki would be the origin of
the anthroponym. However, we should point out that the village is lo-
cated next to a lake by the name of Hiidenvesi (hiisi
Oinola Åijnala* 1417, Oijnale 1517, Oijnola 1538; oinola ~ oilaa
< *Oino < [oinas
s.v. Oinas). PN: Oinaala (Renko), Oinasjoki (Vichtis), Oinasjärvi

(Somerniemi). Est. PN: Oina (Muhu). Oinola was probably a daughter
village of Nummi, but it is nonetheless one of the oldest settlements
in the parish of Nummi (9 homesteads, 2.5 mrk). It looks like the ele-
ment Oina- wan used as both an anthroponym and a descriptive word
in many nature names (KKP). Finnic.
Oittila Oittila* 1514, Oijttvla 1516; oittila ~ oitla ~ oitlaa
< *Oitti < [oitti Ote Swed.
(FSBN s.v. Oitbacka) / Olof Swed. (ibid.)]. PN: Oitti (Hausjärvi), Oitti
~ Oitenkylä (Lammi). Compare to Esbo: Oitans and Kyrkslätt: Oitbac-
ka. The village of Oittila of Nummis is probably older than Oitans and
Oitbacka because the tax value (2 mrk) is the highest. The number of
Oitti- names as village and homestead names suggests that it had been
an anthroponym. The word oitti is known in Finnish dialects (cf. SN
s.v. Oittinen). This means that Oitti may have been a descriptive name.
According to FMU2 (558), a sacristan named Olof had also been called
Oti. This could be explained by following development: O- (lof) + tti.
However, it is dif cult to explain how the name could have received its
Oi- diphthong from Swedish variants. It is possible that it was originally
a nature name as well. Some Oittu- names are clearly truncated forms of
Ojittu (oja
Ratis Ratis bol 1451, Rathisby 1540, Radus 1543; raati
< *Raatis(en) (PAN: 126) < [Rade, Radi etc. Germ. (SN s.v. Raati-
kainen) / -rad, Rad- Swed. (Peterson 2007: 178) / raate
/ Raudus ? (Possibly confused with Pusula: Radus)]. PN: Raatikainen
(Pöytyä). Est. PN: Ratla (Leisi). Ratis has been the name village for its
tax bol. The tax valuenwas 2 mrk. Ratis was probably established dur-
ing the 14th century. Swedish -rad, Rad- had been a popular name ele-
ment, which means it probably came to Finland as well (Peterson 2007:
178, SMP). On the other hand, persons in Finland with the name Radh
or Rade (e.g. FMU1: 29; FMU2: 102; FMU3: 13, 320) were mostly mer-
chants, whose origin is probably German. (Uncertain) Scandinavian.
Remala Remola 1540; remala
< *Remo < [Rembold Germ. (REA: 97, 114) / Remigus Lat. (SN s.v.
Remes)]. Compare to Nummis: Över-Immula. A medieval village

(1 mrk). Remanen had been used as an anthroponym in Nummi (Jus-
sila 1977: 20). Both Rembold and Remigus had been used in medieval
Sweden and Finland (SMP; FMU), however neither one was noted in
the 16th century. It is dif cult to say which anthroponym was used as
the source for Remala. (Uncertain) Germanic.
Röhkälä Röctkila 1540, Röckilla 1544; röhkälä
< *Röhkä, *Röki < [Gregorius (SPNK s.v. Rökiö) / röh (snort sound
coming from pigs, which had been kept in the village) (NA)]. A me-
dieval village (1.5 mrk). The number of settlement names with the
speci c part Röhkö- suggests that it was originally an anthroponym.
The phonological development from Gregorius to Röhkö is dif cult to
explain, but we can point out that old forms have mostly meant *rökilä
(cf. Torhola (Lojo)). As an anthroponym, Rök had been used many
times during the Middle Ages (e.g. FMU2: 51, 260, 276). Christian.
Saukkola Sauckila 1540, Saukijla 1544; saukkola
< *Saukki < [Sakarias / Sakkeus / saukko
kola) / Susanna (PNR: 156) / Savikkola
Savijärvi, Saukkaho PN: Saka (Koht-
la) ( rst notation dated to 1241), Saukse (Kadrina). A late medieval
village (0.5 mrk) and small land area. Christian.
Sitarla Sittarla 1540, Sitarla 1551; sitarla
< *Sitari (PAN: 129) < Isidoros (SPNK s.v. Sitarla). PN: Sittala (Kal-
vola). Could have been an early medieval village because of the tax
value (3 mrk) and its central location. Isidor(os) wan mainly an Ortho-
dox anthroponym (cf. SPNK s.v. Sitarla) and has very few notations in
Sweden or Finland (SMP; FMU). This renders the Christian origin of
the village name questionable. Christian.
Tavola Tauåla* 1417, Tauola 1538; tavola ~ tavoila
< *Tavo < [Staffan Swed. < Stephanus Lat. (SN s.v. Tapola) / David
(SN s.v. Tavi) / Tapo ~ Tavon (genetiv)]. PN: Tavola (Halikko). The
village is old. It could have been from the beginning of the Middle
Ages or even earlier (4 mrk and its central location). Villages by the
name of Tavola in Nummis and Halikko could have been be linked

to one another. The Christian name Staffan was popular in medieval
Sweden, and its Latin form Stephanus was recorded in 1160 (SMP).
In Finnish, Staffan is known as Tapani. The form Tavo can be ex-
plained due to dialectical factors (e.g. Southwestern and Satakunta di-
alects lavasin lapa)
(SSA s.v. Lapa)). However, not all Tapa/o- names are derived from
the Christian Stephanus. These names could be compared to the pre-
Christian Finnish name Tapio (PAN: 79). Christian.
Varttila Varthela 1540, Varttila 1549; varttila ~ vartlaa
< *Vartti < [-wardh Swed. (Cf. Peterson 2007: 247; SMP) / ?]. A late
medieval village (0.67 mrk). Phonetically, the old Swedish name
ending -wardh is a plausible origin for Vartti. It seems that names with
the element -wardh were still in use in Sweden during the 13th and
14th, but no longer in the 15th century (SMP). However, most of the
names with the speci c element Vartti- are nature names in Finland
(KKP). Uncertain origin.
Över-Immula Remainen* 1442, Jmmola 1540; immula ~ immola
Compare to Lojo: Immola and Nummis: Remala. A medieval vil-
lage (1 mrk). (Uncertain) Germanic.
Hauhula Hauhala 1539, Hauhiala 1543; hauhula ~ hauhola
< *Hauhia, *Hauha (FMU4: 201, PAN: 191) < *hauha- Pro-
to-Norse (SPNK s.v. Hauho, SN s.v. Hauhia, SMP s.v. Hakon)].
PN: Hauhiala (Lammi), Hauho (Hauho). Hauhula was a small village
(0.83 mrk). This is why its name was probably transferred from the old
Tavastia region. In the Germanic languages, the name element mean-
hög or German hoch) was popular in anthro-
ponyms (SN s.v. Hauhia; SMP) around the Baltic Sea. The Finnish
anthroponym Hauhia, Hauha is explicitly connected to the Germanic
languages. However, it is dif cult to say how and when Hauhia, Hau-
ha started to be used as an anthroponym in Finland or in other Finnic
languages. Germanic.

Hyönölä Hönela 1540, Hönälä 1549; hyänölä ~ hyärlä
< *Hyönö < [Hune, Huni Skand.; Huna, Hune, Hunica etc. Low Ger-
man (SN s.v. Hynninen) / Hyväneuvo (SPNK s.v. Hyönölä) / < ?].
Hyönölä is probably one of the oldest settlements around the lake Pu-
sulanjärvi (former Jäminjärvi) (3 mrk). The name Hyönölä is dif cult
to explain. It is phonetically dif cult to explain it as being of German-
ic origin. The explanation Hyväneuvola > Hyönölä is possible because
many old Hyvä- anthroponyms were clearly been two-part names
(PNR: 21), but most often only the  rst part survived in toponyms
(KKP). However, there are no toponyms with the element Hyväneuvo-
in Finland (KKP, NA). Moreover, many kinds of dialectal adjectives
such as hyy , hönni houna, höynä
Hyönä has been noted
as an anthroponym in Luumäki (NA). Uncertain origin.
Ikkala Jckala 1540, Jekalla 1544; ikkala
< *Ikka < [Ihakka (Alanen 2003: 20) / Ico, Icha etc. Germ. (SN s.v.
Ikkala)]. PN: Ikkala (Paattinen, Sääksmäki), Ikkarla ~ Ikkala (Piikkiö).
A medieval or late medieval village (1 mrk). Some old Ikka- names are
based on Ihakka (Alanen 2003: 20, Ikkala (Kalvola) < 1584 Ichakala
(SAYL). This kind of name could have been transferred from the old
Tavastia region, as was the case with many other names in Pusula (e.g.
Hattula, Hauhula, Viiala). The development Ihakkala < Ikkala can be
explained by syncope. (Uncertain) Finnic.
Kaukela Kauckela 1540; kaukeela
Compare to Sammatti: Kaukola and Vichtis: Kaukola. A medieval
village (2,5 mrk). Finnic.
Mandela (~ Suomela) Mandela* 1514, Mandel 1538;
< *Mante (PNR: 48) < Ment, Mente, Mand, etc. Germ. (PNR: 155, SN
s.v. Mantila). Est. PN: Mõnnuste (Lääne-Saare), Mõntu (Torgu), Mõn-
davere (Kadrina) Männamaa (Käina). Phonetically, a German origin is
logical. In Estonia, Mand- names with their parallel forms were used
during the Middle Ages (1241 Mandæs (KNR)). Mandela is too young a
place to have a name derived directly from the old Mande- names (1.17
mrk). The distribution of Manti- settlement names in Finland reveals

that the name is mainly concentrated on Southern Ostrobothnia (KKP).
This area is believed to be inhabited by people from the old parishes
Pirkkala and Sastamala (Luukko 1949: 41). It is also interesting that the
parallel name of Mandela is Suomela (Suomi la).
This could show a distinction between settlers from the old Tavastia
region and people from the old Finland Proper region. Germanic.
Pusula Pusula 1538; pusula ~ puslaa
< *Pusu (PAN: 127) < Boz, Bosse, Buss, etc. Swed. (Alanen 2004:
230; SPNK s.v. Pusula; SN s.v. Pusa). PN: Pusula (Somero). A medi-
eval village (2 mrk). Old Swedish names such as Bose or Boos were
used in Finland during the Middle Ages and later (DF s.v. 947, 4212;
Alanen 2004: 230). Scandinavian.
Rutela Rutthela 1540, Rutthilla 1544
< *Rutti < [Rod(h) Swed. (REA s.v. 349, 457) / Rodolf, Rolf Germ.
(SN s.v. Ruti)]. A medieval village (2,67 mrk). No longer exists. Prob-
ably joined in with Kaukela because the lake Ruutin-/ Ruutanjärvi
is located there. The name element -Þrúð (and later ruth, rud) was
popular in Sweden during the Viking Age and the early Middle Ages
(Peterson 2007: 237, SMP). In Finland, younger Ruth- names were
pronounced either rutti or ruuti (NA). Scandinavian.
Viiala Vijala by* 1447, Wialaby 1553; viiala
< *Viia < [Viia / svea Vighvaster Swed.] (SPNK s.v. Viiala;
SN s.v. Viiala). PN: Viiala (Lammi, Renko, Viiala), Viiari (Kisko). A me-
dieval village (2 mrk). The origin of Viia is unclear. The distribution of
settlement names with the speci c part Viia- is closely related to Iron Age
centers in the old Tavastia region (KKP; Raninen & Wessman 2015: 299).
Viiala was probably transferred from Tavastia. (Uncertain) Finnic.
Vörlö Verrala 1540, Vörlö 1549; vörlöö
< *Verre (REA s.v. 384) < [Vermund Swed. / Wernick Germ.] (SN s.v.
Verronen, Värri). Compare to Kyrkslätt: Värby. A medieval village
(2.5 mrk). Possibly originated from a nature name because toponyms
including the appellatives vieri/e vieru
were popular (NA). Uncertain origin.

Kaukola Kaukela 1547, Kaukola 1549; kaukola
Compare to Pusula: Kaukela and Vichtis: Kaukola. A late medieval
village (0.5 mrk). Finnic.
Kiikala Kekala 1332 (< Probably confused with Kiikala (Kiikala)),
Kijkala* 1514, Kiikala 1547; kiikala
< [*Kiikka < kiikka kiikka
s.v. Kiikala). PN: Kiikala (Kiikala). A medieval village (2.375 mrk). It
is dif cult to determine its origin. However, it is safe to assume that
Kiikala (Kiikala) is connected to this name. Uncertain origin.
Leikkilä Leijckilä 1547, Leijkis 1547; leikkilä
< *Leikki (FMU4:: 97) < [Lek Swed. (SN s.v. Leikas) / Leggi Germ.
(Vahtola 2002: 93) / Leinikkä ?]. PN: Leikkinen (Rymättylä), Leikola
(Aura). A medieval village (2.5 mrk). Swedish Lek was fairly popular
in medieval Sweden (SMP). The name element læikR (probably an
older form of Lek) was used in Scandinavia during the Viking Age
(e.g. Peterson 2007: 162). The distribution of settlement names with
the speci c element Leikki- is centred in Southwestern Finland (NA).
Leikkilä could have been transferred from Rymättylä. Scandinavian.
Luskala Luskala* 1427, Lusikala 1552
< *Lusikka < [*Lusi (+ kka) < Brusi, Blusi, Lusi < Ambrosius (SPNK s.v.
Lusi) / Luizico, Liuziko Germ. (Vahtola 2002: 93) / Lucia (Nissilä 1961:
192)]. Compare to Vichtis: Lusi. Est. PN: Luusika (Laekvere). A medieval
village (1.625 mrk). The word lusikka
according to SSA, it was not used in Western Nyland (SSA s.v. lusikka).
Ambrosius was clearly used in medieval Finland and Sweden (DF, SMP).
In Sweden, the name also occurre in the form Brosius (SMP). There are
also examples of the names Blusiusson and Blusius which clearly are
forms of Ambrosius (Nissilä 1961: 192). There are no signs of Germanic
Luizico, etc. (DF, REA, SMP). There were quite a number of records of
the female name Lucia in Sweden and a few in Finland (SMP, FMU), but
female anthroponyms have been rare as village names. Christian.

Aiskos Askos* 1520, Askusby 1540, Askois 1567
Compare to Lojo: Askola. A medieval village (1.75 mrk). Asko-
villages in Lojo and Sjundeå are situated close to one another,
which means that these settlements could have had common roots.
Aiskos is probably a settlement established from Askola (Lojo).
Scandinavian.
Lempans Lempans, Lemptenby* 1442, Lemitteby 1535; lemmpas
< *Lempo, *Lemmetty (Lemponen REA s.v. 115) (SN s.v. Lemmet-
ty; PNR: 43). PN: Lemminen (Sauvo), Lempilä (Halikko), Lempälä
(Kakskerta). Est. PN: Lehmja (Rae, Saue), Lemmikküla (Kullamaa),
Lemmun (an old district in Virumaa county (LCD: 36)). Lempans is
one of the largest (6 mrk) and oldest villages in Sjundeå. Its name may
date back to the Iron Age. Finnic.
Paturs Paturs 1529, Patur 1534, Paturla 1544; paturs
< *Paturi paturi
lage (2.5 mrk). Probably of Finnish origin because it is situated
next to the Lojo border and there are other Finnish villages in the
vicinity such as Lempans, Maksjoki and Vejans. The oldest forms
also show that the name included the Finnish place name suf x -la.
Finnic.
Pulkbacka Pölssbacka 1534, Pölkobacka 1537, Polkebacka 1549;
pulkkbakka
< *Pylkkö, *Pulkko (Pulkinen (FMU4: 422, PAN: 126) < [Fulca, Ful-
co, Folke East Norse (SMP, SN s.v Pulkka, Pylkkö) / pulkka
Compare to Tenala: Pölkå. Pulkbacka is quite a small village (1.75
mrk), so the name was probably transferred from somewhere else, per-
haps from Tenala. Scandinavian.
Vejans Weijgorden 1540, Weijgord 1541; vejjas
Compare to Lojo: Veiby. A medieval village (2.75 mrk). Finnic.

Hurskurnäs Nees 1540, Huskunes 1541, Hurskusnes 1544
< *Hurska (REA s.v. 338, FSBN s.v. Hurskurnäs) < * urskaz Proto-
Germanic (cf. the Old Norse word horskr
(SSA s.v. hurskas). PN: Hurskala (Loimaa). A medieval village (2.5
mrk). The name might be Finnish because the village is situated on a
former island whose name is Finnholmen (KKP). However, there are
no records on the name Horskr or its variations in medieval Sweden
(Peterson 2007; SMP). Uncertain origin.
Repubacka Repoböle 1405, Ribbobacka 1540; ribakka, rebakka
< *Repo (PAN: 71) < repo PN: Rebala
(1241 Reppel) (Jõelähtme), Rebu (Lüganuse), Reola (Ülenürme). A
medieval village (1.5 mrk). The name might be of Finnish origin be-
cause the villages Total, Finbacka and Finnby (KKP) are close by.
Repo is mostly known as an anthroponym in Eastern Finland, but it is
noted in the west as well (SN s.v. Repo). In Estonia, the oldest nota-
tions are early medieval. However, the villages around the Dragsvik
bay are all small (TK Lohja). This suggests that the area was settled
quickly and in an organised fashion. Most of the settlers were prob-
ably Swedish, but Finns could have been there as well (for example
from the village of Repola (Nousiainen)). Finnic.
Total Thotala* 1424; Thotalaby 1541; tuutal(l)
< *Tootti, *Tuutti < [Tote, Touthe (PAN: 70) < Thor- ? / Tuutti < stut
Toivottu (Tootula (Lieto) < 1540
Töywottola (REA s.v. 599)]. PN: Tootula (Lieto), Tottola (Uskela). To-
tal was not a large village, and it had only one homestead. However,
this homestead had a high tax value (2.5 mrk). Kerkkonen believes
that the name Josse Synne aff Thotala in a document dated to 1424
may have been a copying error made by a scribe. The original form
would have been Finne  cult to say what
the original form of the name would have been, but it was clearly used
by Finns. It is also possible that the name way originally a nature name
(e.g. *Toutainlaksi). Uncertain origin.

Kelkkala Kelka 1549, Kelcka 1552; tjelkkala
< *Kelkka < [Kialki, Hialle Swed. (SN s.v. Kelkka) / Kjell Swed. (+
-kka) < Kettil
dieval village (2.625 mrk). The number of Kelkka- names as home-
stead names suggests that it had been an anthroponym (KKP). It is
possibly of Swedish origin, but Kialki and Hialle were not popular
(Peterson 2007; SMP). Only the name (Old West Norse) Hialli was
once noted on in runestones (Peterson 2007: 110). Kjell (a younger
form of Kettil (Otterbjörk 1992: 106)) might also be possible, but
it was not noted in medieval documents (SMP, FMU). (Uncertain)
Scandinavian.
Mälsarby Melsaraby 1399, 1410, Melsarabol 1451;
melssarby
< *Mieli(sen) + saari [Mieli/o Melli Germ.
(SPNK s.v. Mellilä) / Melkior (FSBN s.v. Mälsarby)]. PN: Mielinen
(Nauvo), Mielismäki (Mynämäki). An old and central village (6.25
mrk, the name of the village was given to the tax bol as well). It is
safe to assume that the name is of Finnish origin because of the village
names close by (e.g. Härjentaka, Nitlax and Sattala (KKP)). Mälsarby
is located on a cape that is divided into two parts by a bay called Heim-
lax and small dikes from a pond called Djupdalsträsket (KKP). It is
logical to think that the generic element of the name was Finnish saari
Melsaraby
(1399) suggests that the original form was Mels- + arva (cf. FSBN s.v.
Gennarby). We should also point out that the speci c element Mel- is
not with certainty from the anthroponym Mieli-. There are plenty of
nature names with the speci c parts Miel- and Mela- in Finland (NA).
Uncertain origin.
Pölkå Polke 1438, Pölka bol 1451; pylkku
< *Pylkkö, *Pulkko (PAN: 126) < Fulca, Fulco, Folke, Fulke Ger-
manic (SN s.v Pulkka, Pylkkö). Compare to Sjundeå: Pulkbacka.
PN: Pulkkala (Rymättylä). Pölkå is an old village with a high tax
value (6.25 mrk), and the name of the tax bol originates from the

name of the village. The most probable original form may be Pulk-
because Pylkk- and Pölkk- settlement names are concentrated in
northern and eastern parts of Finland. Pulk- names have distribu-
tion centers closer to Tenala. (KKP.) There were also some home-
stead names with the speci c part Pulk- in the Castle Province of
Raseborg: Pulkus (Kyrkslätt) and Pulkka (Sammatti) (TK Helsinki,
Lohja). Scandinavian.
Sattala Sattala 1549, Sattall 1552; sattala
< *Satte (PNR: 65), *Satato (REA: 61) < ?. A medieval village (2
mrk). The number of Satta- (and especially Sattu-) names as home-
stead names suggests that it was an anthroponym (KKP, NA). How-
ever, in some cases, Satt(V)- names are clearly nature names (e.g. Sat-
tisalmi in Rymättylä is explained as coming from the dialectic word
saatin PN: Sattela (Paimio). (Uncertain) Finnic.
Hulttila Hulthelast 1540, Hulltis 1541; hulttila
< *Hultti < [Holte Swed. (REA s.v. 469) / hulttio
hulttio)]. Holte- names were quite rare in medieval Sweden, but still
these are the most likely origin of the name (SMP). Scandinavian.
Härköilä Härkoila by* 1442, Herkijla 1540, Herkeleby 1542; härköilä
< *Härköi (Härkä FMU7: 70) < härkä
PN: Härkälä (Somero, Vihti). Est. PN: Härjapea (Aseri). An old and
large village (5 mrk). Finnic.
Kaukola Kaukela 1540, Kaukijla 1541; kaukoila
< *Kauko (PNR: 36, SN s.v. Kauko). Compare to Pusula: Kaukela
and Sammatti: Kaukola. PN: Kaukkala (Hauho), Kaukoinen (Masku),
Kaukola (Muurla, Sauvo, Tammela). A medieval village (1.5 mrk).
The distribution of Kauko- settlement names shows that the name was
in use in the Iron Age (KKP). The name was originally descriptive
(kauko Kauk- names found in
Castle Province of Raseborg would have been pre-Christian. Finnic.

Langila Lankila* 1442, Langela 1540; langila
< *Lanki (REA s.v. 148, 440, 498) < Lang, Lange Swed. (SN s.v.
Lankila). Compare to Kisko: Lankila. PN: Lankila (Orimattila), Lank-
kinen (Pöytyä). Est. PN: Langa (Padise), Lante (Kadrina). The names
Lang, Lange were widely used in medieval Sweden and Finland (SMP,
REA, FMU). Langila in Vichtis (2 mrk) and Lankila in Kisko are too
young to have been named in the pre-Christian era. These names were
probably transferred. Scandinavian.
Lusila Lussula 1540, Lwswla 1541; luslaa
< *Lusi, *Lusu (FMU1: 334) < [Brusi, Blusi, Lusi < Ambrosius
(SPNK s.v. Lusi) / Lucius Lat.]. Compare to Sammatti: Luskala.
PN: Lusi (Tyrväntö). Est. PN: Luusika (Laekvere). A medieval village
(2 mrk). The remote distribution and high number of Lusi- settle-
ment names suggest that it is a young name (KKP). On the other
hand, there are exceptions. For example Lusi in Tyrväntö could have
been pre-Christian because of its location and tax values (SAYL).
(Uncertain) Christian.
Veikkola Wejkko 1540; veikkula
< *Veikko (PAN: 245) < veikko
Veikkola). PN: Veikkala (Orimattila), Veikkari (Paimio, Hyvinkää),
Veikkola (Kyrkslätt). A medieval village (1 mrk). The villages called
Veikkols in Vichtis and Kyrkslätt are probably connected to one an-
other. Due to their location, it seems that Veikko- names are younger
than Veijo- names (KKP). Finnic.

a) Christian: Andela, Heijala, Hermala, Jakova, Jantoniemi, Jor-
vas, Kaijola, Lusila, Luskala, Maikkala, Maikkala, Marttila,
Pipola, Rekuby, Röhkälä, Sakkola, Saukkola, Sitarla, Tavola,
Vabby, Virkby. 22 villages and 20 different names.
b) Finnic: Hullus, Hyvälä, Härköilä, Ikkala, Kaijala, Kaijala,
Karvasbacka, Kaukela, Kaukola, Kaukola, Kavasto, Kihelä,
Koikkala, Kouvola, Kovela, Kurtby, Kuritans, Leivosböle,
Lempans, Mommola, Oinola, Oitans, Oitbacka, Oittila, Pargas,
Paturs, Repubacka, Sattala, Talpela, Vaanila, Varola, Veikkola,
Veiby, Vejans, Viiala, Ytterkurk, Överkurk. 38 villages and 30
different names.

c) Germanic: Ahtiala, Ahtiala, Aijala, Haarla, Hauhula, Heimos,
Immola, Immula, (Över-)Immula, Leilä, Mandela, Maskila,
Miemola, Porkala, Pulli, Remala, Ventelä, Vitkars. 18 villages
and 15 different names.
d) Scandinavian: Aiskos, Askola, Hulttila, Humppila, Kattelus,
Kelkkala, Kutsila, Langila, Lankila, Leikkilä, Luttula, Myn-
terlä, Pulkbacka, Pölkå, Pusula, Ratis, Rutela, Röylä, Sorttila,
Torhola and Varttila. 21 villages and 19 different names.
e) Uncertain origin: Hurskurnäs, Hyönölä, Karstu, Kiikala, Käla,
Millola, Muijala, Mälsarby, Näkkilä, Padva, Total, Värby, Vörlö.
12 villages and 11 different names.
In the analysis section, I have studied 105 village names that are
likely based on anthroponyms used by Finnish speakers. I have col-
lected 87 different kinds of anthroponyms. This demonstrates the
great variety of Finnish anthroponyms. Calculations of 16th century
 rst names in Tavastia and Satakunta regions have shown that the ten
most common  rst names covered 60% of all adult men (Kiviniemi
1990: 143). The study Kiviniemi refers to is based on names that
scribes had written, which means that no hypocorises were used.
In addition to this, the material of this article covers a time period a
great deal longer than a century.
The largest naming groups are Christian and Finnic names.
Germanic and Scandinavian names might form a much larger group
if they were counted together. It is worth pointing out the number of
uncertain names. This reveals how dif cult it is to really understand
the way of naming that was in use many hundreds of years ago. The
group that has the most parellel names is that which includes Finnic
names.
According to older studies (e.g. SN, SPNK), many of the
names analysed in my article were based on pre-Christian Germanic

anthroponyms. These studies only rarely provide more accurate infor-
mation about the names. They do not reveal where or when the names
were borrowed. In a closer study, I have been able to  nd that most of
the introduction to this article). In this case, it is logical to think that
these names were borrowed via the Swedes. It seems as if the previous
researchers paid too much attention to pre-Christian Germanic names.
In addition, Jorma Koivulehto criticised this phenomenon and made
duction). He said that many of the toponyms thought to be derived
from Germanic anthroponyms are incorrect (2007). The  ndings of
this article completely agree with Koivulehto. The Germanic in u-
ence on the anthroponyms of Western Nyland is obvious, but instead
it should be called Scandinavian or Swedish in uence.
Even more interesting is that many names which were probably
derived from pre-Christian Germanic anthroponyms have points of
reference in Estonia. Out of 15 Germanic names, nine were used in
northern Estonia (Hali, Heimo, Herman, Immo, Mande, Miemo, Millo,
Vente and Vitikka). This brings up an interesting question about the
origins of these anthroponyms. Anthroponyms that were no longer
used during the time of the Hansaetic League are especially problem-
atic. How, when and from where did these names arrive in Estonia and
Finland?
Lately, connections between Southern Finland and Northern Es-
Moreover, the so-called birth of the Finnish language is thought to
Close and recent connections with Estonia could justify the spread of
old Germanic loan anthroponyms in Southern Finland. However, the
problem remains unresolved and requires further investigation.

The origin of some speci c anthroponym does not reveal where the
name really came from. Settlement names could have either been
based on anthroponyms or brought from somewhere else as trans-
ferred names (cf. the methodology section). In the following, I present
nearby parishes that have similar village names to those in Western
Nyland. Parallel cases (PN) are found in the name entries.
Halikko: 12
Lammi: 6
Paimio: 6
Sauvo: 5
Hauho: 3
Hausjärvi: 3
Kalvola: 2
Koski Tl: 3
Kisko*1: 3
Masku: 3
Rymättylä: 3
Somero: 3
Vichtis*2: 3
Aura: 2
Hattula: 2
Lieto: 2
Paattinen: 2
Piikkiö: 2
Pöytyä: 2
Renko: 2
Tammela: 2
Angelniemi, Humppila, Hyvinkää, Kakskerta, Kemiönsaari, Kiikala,
Kuusjoki, Kärkölä, Loimaa, Maaria, Marttila, Muurla, Myrskylä,
Nauvo, Nousiainen, Parainen, Somerniemi, Suomusjärvi, Turku,
Tyrväntö, Vanaja and Vehmaa: 1
*1 = Castle Province of Åbo
*2 = Tavastia
There are 94 parallel village names found in the vicinity. Of these, 56
are in the parishes west or northwest of Western Nyland. This area can
be considered Finland Proper. In the north, which can be also called
Tavastia, there are 25 names. The remaining 13 are situated in the
northeast and east. This simple comparison already indicates that Fin-
land Proper is the area that had the closest connections to Western
Nyland. The western and coastal areas of Western Nyland especially
seem to have had a close relationship with Finland Proper.

The  ndings are also logical when compared to the dialectal areas of
Finland. Most parishes of Western Nyland are part of so called lounaiset
välimurteet, dialects in uenced by the dialect of Finland Proper (Lehtinen
tems are very much connected to one another. Anthroponyms may have
spread because of migration or other kinds of communicative activities,
such as trading. It is no surprise that the parish of Halikko has been the
area with the largest number of similar village names. Archeological  nds
from the valley of Uskelanjoki show that the area was well developed
during the Iron Age (Hirviluoto 1991). This means it was also able to af-
ford the establishment of new settlements. We cannot exclude in uences
from Tavastia either. Northern parishes such as Pusula and Vichtis espe-
cially have common village names with parishes in Tavastia.
A comparison to Estonian village names was not the main pur-
pose of this article, but a simple study has already revealed that there
are a great deal of similarities. A shared Germanic nomenclature had
already been previously noted. Moreover, so-called Finnic anthropo-
nyms are found on both sides of the Gulf of Finland. I would not say
that these similarities are proof of migration from Estonia to Finland,
but close cultural connections are obvious.
In the following list, I present the oldest villages that were named
after anthroponyms used by Finns. I chose those village names that
are based on anthroponyms and could have been established during
the Iron Age. Determining the age of the villages is mostly done by
looking at the tax value. Other methods are also used as explained in
methodology section. More accurate details can be found in the indi-
vidual name entries.
Bromarv: Pargas
Karis: Heimos
Karislojo: Kattelus
Lojo: Vappula, Virkby
Nummis: Tavola
Sjundeå: Lempans
Tenala: Pölkå
Vichtis: Härköilä

There are only nine villages that can be linked to the Iron Age. First
of all, many of them are questionable. The Finnish settlements in the
Lojo and Tenala parishes are clearly old, but the ages of settlements
elsewhere are not that certain. I should point out that parishes in Lojo
and Tenala with names based on Finnic anthroponyms are mostly
medieval. There are also two Christian-based anthroponyms in Lojo
(Vappula and Virkkala). According to the taxation details, these villag-
es could be old, but Christian names are usually medieval (of course
they can be also from the Viking Age but this is not as likely). This
brings up the issue of settlement names that undergo a change. Settle-
ment names based on anthroponyms especially could have undergone
were given to homesteads, and this is how they could have ended up
as settlement names as well. Thus, when a new settler stabilised his
possession in a village, the neighbours could have started to name the
whole area after him. During the late Viking Age and early Middle
Ages, there was no organised taxation system in place that would have
required the settlement names to remain stable. It is thought that regu-
lar ecclesiastical taxes  rst began to be collected in the 1230s in West-
ern Finland (Raninen & Wessman 2015: 346). However, many vil-
lages in the 15th and 16th centuries had variation in their names, as can
One important conclusion of this article is that settlements that
have names based on anthroponyms are not the oldest villages in West-
ern Nyland. This can not only be seen from taxation details and land
property, but also from comparing the locations of the villages to Iron
Age  nds from the arel (Kulttuuriympäristön rekisteriportaali). This
shows, for example, that the names of the Lojo municipality, where
Iron Age activity can be found, are based mostly on nature names. In
other words, settlement names based on Finnish anthroponyms are
part of a younger nomenclature. Those Finnish village names inside
Swedish-speaking areas (e.g. Repobacka, Vitkars, Värby) are medieval
settlements. These villages were probably established after the main
wave of Swedish settlers arrived in the 13th century. This suggests that
the so-called language border between Finns and Swedes was  exible.
New settlers may have come from both sides of the border.

Est. = Estonian
Fin. = Finnish
Germ. = Germanic
Lat. = Latin
mrk = skattmark (unit of taxation)
Scand. = Scandinavian
Swed. = Swedish
Est. PN = Parallel / similar name
found from northern
parts of Estonia
PN = Parallel / similar name found
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Artikkelissa käsitellään keskiaikaisen Raaseporin linnaläänin (noin
nykyinen Länsi-Uudenmaa) henkilönnimikantaisia kylännimiä. Näistä
on valittu ne, jotka ovat suomalaisperäisiä kyliä. Keskiajan suomalai-
sia henkilönnimiä on tutkittu hyvin vähän. Suurimpana syynä on läh-
deaineistojen vähyys. Kylännimien avulla on myös mahdollista tutkia
keskiajan suomalaisten käyttämiä henkilönnimiä.
Tutkimuksessa on selvitetty, mistä kylännimissä käytetyt hen-
kilönnimet ovat saapuneet alueelle. Lisäksi on etsitty lähialueilta par-
alleeleja tapauksia tutkituille kylännimille. Näin on havaittu, mistä
suunnista henkilönnimiä on kulkeutunut Raaseporin linnaläänin al-
ueelle. Tutkimuksessa on myös arvioitu tutkittujen kylien perustamis -
ajankohtia.
Keskeisin tutkimustulos on, että Raaseporin linnaläänin suoma-
laisille henkilönimipohjaisille kylännimille löytyy eniten vastineita
Lounais-Suomesta ja erityisesti nykyisen Salon seudulta. Myös Poh-
jois-Virosta havaittiin paljon samanlaisia kylännimiä. Suomalais- ja
kristillisperäiset henkilönnimet olivat Raaseporin linnaläänissä ylei-
simmät nimenantoryhmät. Huomattavaa on myös se, että suurin osa
tutkituista kylännimistä on keskiajan loppupuolella syntyneitä. Ne
edustavat siis nuorempaa nimeämistapaa kuin luontonimiin perustu-
vat kylännimet.