Toponymic markers of the settlement network evolution in Veps Prionezhye

The author investigates oikonyms (names of settlements) and their evolution recorded in mass historical sources starting from the late XV century in order to trace the formation of a system of settlements in the territory inhabited by the northern Veps. Two main routes of the Veps migration from the southern Lake Onega and the Svir River regions are being reconstructed. The relevance of the study is determined by identifying the change in naming models over the centuries associated with both the socio-economic development of the territory and with the patterns of the toponymic system evolution. At the turn of the XVIII century, due to internal migration the coastal type of settlement gave way to the mudflow type. In the XIX century, a new oikonymic model emerged, which fully coincides with the anthroponym (Habuk, Isak) and is associated with the land tenure reform. Particular attention is paid to the existence of oikonyms at two levels - formal (written) and informal (oral) ones. The former was more conservative, while the latter responded more actively to the changes in circumstances related to the settlement's life, changes in household ownership, etc. It is proved that the widespread introduction and consolidation of popular Veps names in official practice took place in the middle of the XIX century, in the records of the 9th and 10th censuses of 1850 and 1858, respectively. These names are still in use today. The author also proposes a number of new etymologies based on the folk forms of calendar (Isan'← Russian dial. Ishan ← calend. Ivan) and non-calendar (village Vanhimansel'g: anthroponym *Vanhim ← Veps vanhim ‘oldest') Veps names.