Ohar batzuk Urgull, Urkullu, Urkulu, Urkillo, Urkilla leku izenen inguruan [Brief observations on the place names Urgull, Urkullu, Urkulu, Urkillo, Urkilla]

Abstract

In this article, the author takes a look at the names Urkullu, Urkulu, Urkillo, Urkilla, repeated throughout the toponymy of Vasconia, and the San Sebastian oronym Urgull, which may appear to share the same origin as the aforementioned place names, but which, in fact, would not seem to have any etymological relationship with them at all. It is, first of all, established that these names ultimately come from the Latin furca, *furcu, and, secondly, that they refer to four different realities: 1) The place where two waterways meet, 2) the pass, passageway or gap between two mountains, 3) the place at which two paths separate –or join, 4) U-shaped rises in the ground. These names may be used alone, but may also be accompanied by another element placed either before or behind.