Spatial distribution of toponyms and formation mechanism in traditional villages in Western Hunan, China

Abstract

Traditional village toponyms contain rich vernacular geographical information, profound cultural connotations, and social group memories. Studying the meanings and spatial distribution characteristics of traditional village toponyms and their formation mechanism is significant for the sustainable development and protection of the intangible culture of traditional villages. However, previous studies mainly focused on qualitative description combined with geospatial analysis techniques to explore their spatial distribution and influencing factors, but there has yet to be an in-depth study on why such a pattern is formed. Thus, this study employs statistics, a GIS kernel density estimation method, a geodetector, and historical data to examine the spatial distribution, influence factors, and formation mechanisms of various toponyms in traditional villages in western Hunan, China. The results show that (1) the toponyms in traditional villages in western Hunan can be categorized into natural and cultural landscape toponyms. Natural landscape toponyms predominate in the northwest, whereas cultural landscape toponyms are more concentrated in the southeast, with Huayuan, Longshan, and Dong Autonomous Counties as the primary focal points; (2)Natural toponyms are shaped by terrain, river proximity, and vegetation, whereas cultural toponyms cluster due to natural features and historic trail influence, mirroring the historical migration and settlement patterns in the development of western Hunan; (3)Multiple influencing factors, regulatory powers, and curing processes reveal the formation mechanism of the spatial patterns of toponyms. This study offers a novel lens for recognizing and understanding the characteristics of human settlement environments and culture in traditional villages. Moreover, the results of this study can provide scientific guidance for the cultural protection of traditional villages on a cross-regional scale.