Farms of Gotland

For a long time, Gotland functioned as an independent republic, with its own laws and governance.

Gotland has experienced several periods of prosperity, all of which can be attributed to the free republic (sometimes referred to as the "peasant republic"). It was this republic that ensured 80% of all Roman denarii found centuries after Christ were discovered on Gotland. During the Viking Age, the republic made Gotland the richest place in the world for treasure finds. Additionally, it was the republic that boosted trade at the beginning of the Middle Ages, not only for Gotland but beyond.

The foundation of this republic was the network of farms across the island. It was these farms that authored Gutalagen, Sweden’s first legal code, which established a democratic system of governance. Gutalagen makes no mention of nobility, royal privileges, or similar concepts. This legal code remained in effect on Gotland until the 1600s.

Since the Middle Ages, it is estimated that there were about 1,500 farms across Gotland. A distinctive feature of the island’s place names is the suffix -arve, derived from the Old Norse word arfi, meaning "heir." These place names often refer to a person or family who once owned the farm. For example, in Garde Parish, we find Robbenarve, and in Vamlingbo Parish, Bottarve.

Another unusual place name suffix on Gotland is -lause, similar to -lösa found on the mainland-adjacent island of Öland. Examples include Krämplause and Gisslause. The mainland’s common place name ending -stad is equivalent to Gotland’s -städe, as seen in Tingstäde and Skäggstäde.

In Dalarna, a region known for preserving traditional place names, farms are often named after people. This practice is also widespread on Gotland, although the names there tend to be much older. As a result, many farms on the island share the same name, such as Smiss, Martens, or Mickels, making it difficult at times to pinpoint exactly where within a parish a particular family lived.

Other characteristic place name endings on Gotland include -garde (e.g., Änggarde and Austargarde), -e as a genitive form of personal names (e.g., Botvide and Levide), -ungs (e.g., Kaungs and Bölungs), and -ings (e.g., Kallings).