Toponyms in a digital era: analysing the (un)changing nature of toponyms using the Belgian Historical Gazetteer

In this paper we will examine how BHG data can be used to analyse the evolution of place names over time, from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day, based on a description of the variation between the place name of the ‘reduced cadastre’ and its modern counterpart. We will successively analyse the three types of variations and explore spatial patterns in the (un-)changing nature of these toponyms.