A map showing the Gaue of the Kingdom of Germany around the beginning of the 11th century
A map showing the Gaue /pagi of the Duchy of Swabia and Upper Burgundy around the beginning of the 11th century
The following is a list of German Gaue which existed during the Middle Ages .
It lists the names of the Frankish or German Gaue , many of which are still used today regionally, primarily in local traditions. Their locations are often no longer widely known, but are known from publications.
Duchy of Bavaria
Ammergau : along the upper Amper in Upper Bavaria , bounded in the south by the Ammergau Alps ; sub-gau of Sundergau
Attergau [de ] : along the Ager in Upper Austria , around the Attersee (lake)
Chiemgau : between the middle Inn and the Traun in Upper Bavaria , around the Chiemsee
Donaugau : along the upper Danube in Lower Bavaria and Upper Palatinate , around Straubing ; modern Gäuboden and eastern Hallertau
Huosigau : between the upper Isar and the Amper in Upper Bavaria , around Lake Starnberg ; lands of the Huosi family ; sub-gau of Sundergau
Inntal : the middle Inn valley in Tyrol , divided into the Upper Inn Valley [de ] and Lower Inn Valley
Isengau [de ] : between the lower Isar and the lower Inn in Lower Bavaria , around Vilsbiburg
Künziggau : along the lower Vils in Lower Bavaria , east of Vilshofen
Lungau : the upper Mur river valley in Salzburg , around Tamsweg
Mattiggau : along the Mattig [de ] in Upper Austria , around Mattighofen ; the eastern two thirds of the Innviertel
Norital [de ] : the Eisack river valley and the upper half of the Etschtal in South Tyrol , around Bolzano and Brixen
Pinzgau : the upper Salzach and upper Saalach river valleys in Salzburg , around Zell am See
Pongau : a portion of the upper Salzach and the upper Enns river valleys in Salzburg , around St. Johann im Pongau
Gau Pustertal [de ] : the Rienz and upper Drava river valleys in South Tyrol , bounded by the Dolomites in the south, the Zillertal Alps in the north, and the Villgraten Mountains in the east
Rotagau : along the lower Inn and the lower Rott in Lower Bavaria and Upper Austria , south of Passau
Salzburggau [de ] : along the middle Salzach in Salzburg , around Salzburg (city)
Schweinachgau : between the upper Danube and the Bohemian Forest in Lower Bavaria , the eastern portion of the Bavarian Forest
Sundergau [de ] : along the upper Isar in Upper Bavaria , around Munich ; some sources show Sundergau extending to the south and east of the Inn to include the Inntal and Chiemgau[ 1]
Traungau [de ] : along the Traun in Upper Austria , between the Hausruck [de ] hills and the Enns
Viehbachgau : between the lower Isar and the Vils in Lower Bavaria , around Dingolfing
Vinschgau : the upper Adige river valley in South Tyrol , west of Merano
Walchengau : along the upper Isar in Upper Bavaria , around the Walchensee
(Bavarian) Westergau : along the Paar and the middle Isar in Upper Bavaria , around Freising and Neuburg
Margraviate of the Nordgau
Margraviate of Austria
Duchy of Carinthia
March of Styria
March of Verona and Aquileia
Duchy of Franconia
East Franconia
Aschfeld : between the middle Main and the Franconian Saale in Lower Franconia , south of Hammelburg [ 3] ; sub-gau of Saalgau
Badanachgau : along the Grünbach in northern Baden-Württemberg (Tauber Franconia ), between the Tauber around the Maindreieck [de ] , around Giebelstadt ; roughly coterminous with Ochsenfurter Gau [de ]
Baringau : along the Streu in Lower Franconia , in the central Rhön Mountains , around Fladungen [ 3]
Brettachgau [de ] : along the Brettach in northern Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart region ), between Neuenstadt and Mainhardt
Buchonia or Buchengau: along the upper Fulda in eastern Hesse and Lower Franconia , bounded by the Rhön Mountains in the east, the Vogelsberg in the west, and the Franconian Saale in the south[ 3]
Elsenzgau [de ] : along the Elsenz and the south and west banks of the lower Neckar in northern Baden-Württemberg (Karlsruhe region and Stuttgart region ), around Sinsheim [ 3]
Gartachgau [de ] : along the Lein (formerly called the Gartach) in northern Baden-Württemberg (Karlsruhe region ); sub-gau of Elsenzgau
Gollachgau [de ] : along the upper Tauber and upper Gollach in Middle Franconia and northern Baden-Württemberg (Tauber Franconia ), around Rothenburg
Gotzfeldgau [de ] : along the northern bank of the middle Main (the Maindreieck [de ] ) in Lower Franconia , between Würzburg and Schweinfurt [ 3]
Grabfeld : along the upper Franconian Saale and upper Werra in Lower Franconia and southwestern Thuringia (Henneberg Franconia ), bounded by the Thuringian Forest in the northeast, the Main in the south, and the Rhön Mountains in the west; some sources divide the gau into East Grabfeld in the southeast and West Grabfeld in the northwest[ 3]
Hassgau : along the northern bank of the middle Main in Lower Franconia , around Haßfurt and the Haßberge hills
Iffgau : between the middle Main (the Maindreieck [de ] ) and the Aisch in Lower Franconia and Middle Franconia , around Scheinfeld and the western Steigerwald hills
Jagstgau [de ] : along the lower Jagst in northern Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart region ), between Bad Rappenau (lower end) and Mulfingen (upper end)
Kochergau [de ] : along the middle Kocher in northern Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart region ), between Forchtenberg (lower end) and Gaildorf (upper end), around Schwäbisch Hall
Maulachgau [de ] : along the upper Jagst and Bühler in northern Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart region ), around Crailsheim ; named after the Maulach
Murrgau : along the Murr in northern Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart region ), around Backnang
Rangau [de ] : between the Franconian Rezat and the upper Aisch in Middle Franconia , bounded by the Franconian Heights and Steigerwald in the west and the Rednitz /Regnitz in the east, north of Ansbach
Saalgau [de ] : along the Sinn in Lower Franconia , bounded by the Rhön Mountains in the northeast and the middle Main (the Maindreieck [de ] ) in the south, around Hammelburg [ 3]
Schefflenzgau : along the Schefflenz and the Elz in northern Baden-Württemberg (Karlsruhe region ), east of Mosbach in western Bauland ;[ 3] sub-gau of Wingarteiba
Schozachgau [de ] : along the Schozach on the east bank of the lower Neckar in northern Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart region ), around Ilsfeld
Sualafeldgau [de ] : along the upper Altmühl in Middle Franconia , bounded by the southern Franconian Jura in the southeast and the Franconian Heights in the northwest, around Gunzenhausen
Sulmgau [de ] or Sulmanachgau: along the Sulm in northern Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart region ), at the confluence of the Kocher and the lower Neckar , northeast of Heilbronn
Taubergau [de ] : along the middle Tauber in northern Baden-Württemberg (Tauber Franconia ), around Bad Mergentheim , roughly coterminous with Main-Tauber-Kreis excluding Wertheim
Tullifeld [de ] : along the upper Felda and Ulster in southwestern Thuringia (Henneberg Franconia ), around Kaltennordheim [ 3] ; sub-gau of Grabfeld
Waldsassengau [de ] : along the middle Main (between the Mainviereck [de ] and the Maindreieck [de ] ) and the eastern Spessart mountains in Lower Franconia , around Lohr am Main [ 3]
Werngau : along the Wern in Lower Franconia , bounded by the middle Main in the east and west (the northern portion of the Maindreieck [de ] ), east of Karlstadt am Main [ 3]
Wingarteiba [de ] or Wingartau: between the Neckar /Jagst and the Tauber in northern Baden-Württemberg (Rhine-Neckar ), bounded by the Bauland in the south and the Odenwald mountains in the northwest, roughly coterminous with the Neckar-Odenwald-Kreis [ 3]
Zabergäu [de ] : along the Zaber on the west bank of the lower Neckar in northern Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart region ), around Brackenheim ; sub-gau of Elsenzgau
West Franconia
Anglachgau [de ] : along the lower Pfinz and Kraichbach on the right bank of the Upper Rhine in northern Baden-Württemberg (Karlsruhe region ), around Bruchsal [ 3] ; sub-gau and northwestern half of Kraichgau
Arfeld [de ] : along the upper Eder in southern Northrhine-Westphalia (Arnsberg region ), around Bad Berleburg in the central Rothaar Mountains ;[ 3] sub-gau of Hessengau or Lahngau
Bachgau [de ] : along the west bank of the lower Main in southern Hesse (Darmstadt region ) and Lower Franconia , between the lower Gersprenz and the lower Mümling , around Großostheim ; sub-gau of Maingau
Einrich [de ] or Einrichgau: along the Aar on the right bank of the Middle Rhine in northeastern Rhineland-Palatinate and southwestern Hesse , bounded by the western Taunus mountains in the south and the lower Lahn in the north, around Heidenrod [ 3] ; some sources list Einrich as a sub-gau of Lahngau and show its territory extending east to the Weil [ 1]
Engersgau [de ] : along the Wied on the right bank of the Middle Rhine in northeastern Rhineland-Palatinate , around Montabaur in the western Westerwald [ 3] ; some sources list Engersgau as a sub-gau of Lahngau[ 1]
Enzgau [de ] : along the lower Enz and the upper Kraichbach in northern Baden-Württemberg (Karlsruhe region ), around Mühlacker ; sub-gau and southeastern half of Kraichgau
Erdagau : along the Aar in Hesse (Giessen region ), between the Dill and the Salzböde [ 3] ; sub-gau of Lahngau (split between Niederlahngau and Oberlahngau)
Glemsgau [de ] : along the Glems in northern Baden-Württemberg (Stuttgart region ), around Schwieberdingen
Haigergau : between the Nister in northeastern Rhineland-Palatinate and the Dietzhölze in Hesse (Giessen region ), bounded by the upper Sieg in the north and the Westerwald in the south, around Haiger ; sub-gau of Niederlahngau
(Frankish) Hessengau or Hassia: along the lower Eder and lower Fulda in Hesse (Kassel region ), around Fritzlar and Kassel [ 3] ; some sources show Hessengau extending further west along the Eder to include much of Oberlahngau[ 1]
Kinziggau [de ] : along the lower Kinzig in Hesse (Darmstadt region ), around Gelnhausen ; sub-gau of Maingau
Königssondergau or the Königs besonderer Gau ('King's special Gau'): along the right bank of the Middle Rhine in Hesse (Darmstadt region ), around Wiesbaden [ 3] ; sub-gau of Rheingau
Kraichgau : along the Kraichbach in northern Baden-Württemberg (Karlsruhe region and Rhine-Neckar ), between the Upper Rhine and Enz , around Mühlacker and Bruchsal
Niederlahngau or Unterlahngau: along the lower Lahn in western Hesse (Giessen region ), around Limburg [ 3] ; some sources do not divide Lahngau into Nieder- and Ober-, and include Engersgau and Einrich as sub-gaue[ 1]
Oberlahngau : along the upper Lahn in northwestern Hesse (Kassel region ), around Marburg [ 3] ; some sources do not divide Lahngau into Nieder- and Ober-, and instead have Hessengau extend further west into what would be Oberlahngau[ 1]
Lobdengau [de ] : along the lower Neckar at the confluence with the Upper Rhine in northern Baden-Württemberg (Rhine-Neckar ), roughly coterminous with the western half of Rhein-Neckar-Kreis plus Mannheim and Heidelberg [ 3]
Maingau [de ] : along the lower Main in southeastern Hesse (Darmstadt region ) and Lower Franconia , bounded by the Odenwald mountains in the southwest and Spessart mountains in the east, around Aschaffenburg [ 3]
Nahegau : along the Nahe in southeastern Rhineland-Palatinate , bounded by the Hunsrück uplands in the northwest and the North Palatine Uplands in the southeast, around Bad Kreuznach [ 3] [ 4]
Niddagau [de ] : between the lower Nidda and eastern Taunus mountains in central Hesse (Darmstadt region ), around Bad Homburg [ 3] ; sub-gau of Wetterau
Oberrheingau [de ] ('Upper Rhine Gau'): between the lower Main and the Weschnitz on the right bank of the Upper Rhine in Hesse (Darmstadt region ), west of Darmstadt ; initially a sub-gau of the wider Rheingau, gradually treated as separate as 'Rheingau' began to refer only to the small territory west of Wiesbaden
Perfgau [de ] : along the Perf and upper Lahn in southern Northrhine-Westphalia (Arnsberg region ) and western Hesse (Giessen region ), around Breidenbach ; sub-gau of Oberlahngau or Hessengau
Pfinzgau [de ] : along the upper Pfinz in northern Baden-Württemberg (Karlsruhe region ), east of Karlsruhe and northwest of Pforzheim ; sub-gau of Ufgau
Rodgau [de ] : along the Rodau in southern Hesse (Darmstadt region ), around the town of Rodgau ; sub-gau of Maingau; notably absent from many atlas sources[ 1] [ 5]
Vernagau or Pfirnihgau: between the lower Schwalm and the Efze , around Borken ; sub-gau of Hessengau
Plumgau [de ] : along the upper Gersprenz and the upper Mümling in southern Hesse (Darmstadt region ), around Erbach in the northern Odenwald mountains[ 3] ; sub-gau of Maingau
Rheingau : along the right bank of the Middle Rhine and the Upper Rhine , between Lorch am Rhein (lower end) and Lampertheim (upper end)[ 3] ; initially a large gau with Oberrheingau and Königssondergau as sub-gaue, gradually came to identify a small territory along the right bank of the Rhine, west of Wiesbaden where the Middle Rhine meets the Upper Rhine
Speyergau : along the Speyerbach in southern Rhineland-Palatinate , bounded by the Upper Rhine in the east, the Palatinate Forest in the west, and the Lauter in the south, west of Speyer [ 3]
(Frankish) Ufgau : along the right bank of the Upper Rhine in northern Baden-Württemberg (Karlsruhe region ), bounded by the Upper Rhine in the west, the Enz in the southeast, and the Elsenz in the northeast, around Bruchsal and Karlsruhe
Wetterau or Wettereiba: along the Nidda in eastern Hesse (Darmstadt region and Giessen region ), bounded by the Fulda in the east, the Taunus mountains in the west, and the lower Main in the south, around Friedberg and the Vogelsberg mountains[ 3]
Wormsgau or Wormsfeld: along the left bank of the Upper Rhine and the North Palatine Uplands in southern Rhineland-Palatinate , west of Worms and south of Mainz [ 3] [ 4]
Würmgau : along the upper Enz and the lower Nagold in northern Baden-Württemberg (Karlsruhe region ), south of Pforzheim
Frisia
Gau Auricherland : eastern East Frisia
Beveland : municipalities of Borsele , Goes , Noord-Beveland , Kapelle , and Reimerswaal (formerly separate islands) in Zeeland
Bornegoa [fy ; nl ] : southern Friesland
Gau Brokmerland : western East Frisia
Drenthe : Dutch province of Drenthe, south of Groningen
Emsgau [de ] or Gau Emsigerland: at the mouth of the Ems , southwest East Frisia
Federgo : western East Frisia
Fivelgo : north Ommelanden along the Ems estuary, northeast of Groningen
Flehite : along the Utrecht Hill Ridge in eastern Utrecht
Fulnaho : the areas of Kop van Overijssel and Stellingwerven [nl ]
Germepi : eastern South Holland and western Utrecht, along the Oude Rijn and north of the Hollandse IJssel
(het 'the') Gooi or Naardensland: southeastern North Holland , along the Markermeer across from Flevoland
Gau Harlingerland : northern East Frisia
Holtland : south of the Lek , along the Meuse (Dutch : Maas ) and Waal , southeast of Rotterdam ; origin
Humsterland : northwest Ommelanden, northwest of Groningen
Hunsigo : northwest Ommelanden along the Wadden Sea , north of Groningen
Ijssel and Lek : between the Hollandse IJssel and Lek rivers, southeast South Holland (Krimpenerwaard ) and southwest Utrecht (Lopikerwaard )
Kennemerland or Kinhem: southern/central North Holland
Gau Lengenerland [de ] : southeast East Frisia
Masaland or Marsum: southern South Holland, north of Het Scheur and the Nieuwe Maas
Gau Moormerland : southern Ostfriesland, at the mouth of the Ems river
Nifterlake or Instarlake: Vechtstreek and Amstelland , along the Utrechtse Vecht
Gau Norderland northwest East Frisia
Noord-Twente or Norhttuianti: along the Overijsselse Vecht , northern County of Bentheim and northeast Overijssel
Östringen [de ] : around Jever , modern Friesland kreis
Ostergau or Eastergoa: northeast Friesland
Gau Overledingerland [de ] : at the mouth of the Ems, southern East Frisia
Gau Rheiderland : west bank of the mouth of the Weser
Rijnland : middle South Holland, along the Oude Rijn; Rinland
Gau Rüstringen : east and south of the Jadebusen
Salland or Salon: western half of Overijssel, along the lower IJssel and lower Overijsselse Vecht
Schouwen : municipalities of Schouwen-Duiveland , Tholen (formerly an island), and western coastal North Brabant around Bergen op Zoom
Sudergoa : along the northeast shore of the IJsselmeer (formerly Lake Almere ), north of Lelystad
Teisterbant : south of the Lek , along the Meuse (Dutch : Maas ) and Waal , west of Nijmegen ; Testarbant
Texla : the island of Texel , Vlieland , and Terschelling
Twente : eastern half of Overijssel
Gau Veluwe : between the IJssel , Lek , and IJsselmeer
Gau Voorne [nl ] : islands of Voorne-Putten and Goeree-Overflakkee (Westvoorne/Goeree and Zuidvoorne/Overflakkee) which at various points in history were all one island or separate islands
Walcheren : formerly a separate island, around Middelburg
Gau Wangerland : on the North Sea , east of East Frisia
(Frisian) Westergau or Westergoa : western Friesland
Gau Westflinge [nl ] : northern North Holland, largely coterminous with West Friesland
Wiron : municipalities of Wieringen and Wieringermeer in northern North Holland, former island with some territory submerged in the Wadden Sea; possibly part of Texla
Wursten [de ] : coastal Lower Saxony north of Bremerhaven
Lotharingia
Lower Lotharingia
Aachengau or Pagus Aquensis: around Aachen
Ahrgau : on the Ahr in the north of Rhineland-Palatinate
Ardennengau [de ] : along the Ardennes Forest , at the tripoint of Germany , Belgium and Luxembourg
Auelgau [de ] : around the Siebengebirge and along the Sieg , east of Bonn
Betuwe or Batavia: along the middle Waal , between the lower Meuse (Dutch : Maas ) and Lek
Bonngau [de ] : around Bonn, on the left bank of the Lower Rhine
Pagus of Brabant : between the Scheldt and Dyle , western Flemish Brabant and southwestern East Flanders
Cambresis or Kamerijkgouw: at the headlands of the Scheldt river, around Cambrai
Condroz : south of the Meuse , east of Namur
Deutzgau [de ] : along the lower Wupper on the right bank of the Lower Rhine, east of Cologne
Düffelgau [de ] : on the Lower Rhine, roughly between Cleves and Xanten
Eifelgau : in northern Eifel
Gildegau [de ] or Gellepgau: on left bank of the Lower Rhine, north of Neuss and across from Duisburg ; often confused with Gillgau and/or shown on the right bank of the Rhine (Ruhrgau); named after the Roman castra Gelduba [de ]
Gillgau [de ] : on the left bank of the Lower Rhine, northwest of Cologne
Hamaland : eastern Gelderland , partly coterminous with the Achterhoek
Pagus of Hesbaye or Haspengouw: between Liège , Maastricht , Diest and Grand-Leez ; north and west of the bend in the Meuse
Hattuariergau [de ] or Hettergau: along the Niers , including Gennep and Geldern
Hennegau or Hainau: along the upper Sambre
Iselgo : along the western shore of the IJssel , between the Oude IJssel and Schipbeek , southeastern Gelderland
Jülichgau [de ] : along the middle Rur , around Jülich
Kölngau [de ] : on the left bank of the Lower Rhine, around Cologne
Kützgau : along the Erft ; only one documented mention in the year 898
Liemers : between the Nederrijn and Oude IJssel rivers, east of Arnhem
Lommegau or Lommatschgau: on the left bank of the Meuse , along the lower Sambre
Luihgau or Liugas: between Liège and Aachen
Maasgau : along part of the Meuse (Dutch : Maas ) north of Maastricht
Mühlgau [de ] : between the Maas and Niers
Nievenheimgau [de ] or Neusser Gau: along the lower Erft , roughly coterminous with the modern municipalities of Neuss and Grevenbroich
Odangau : on the left bank of the Lower Rhine, south of Bonn; untergau of Bonngau
Gau Rijen [nl ] or Rien: alonge the Nete river, around Antwerp , western Antwerp province
Ruhrgau [de ] or Duisburggau: western Ruhrgebiet including Duisburg and Essen
Toxandria : between the Meuse, Demer and Schelde rivers in the Belgian-Dutch border region
Zülpichgau [de ] : along the upper Rur
Waasland or Waasgau: north of the Schelde, northeast East Flanders
Upper Lotharingia
Albegau : on the right bank of the upper Meurthe [ 4]
Alzettegau : along the Alzette [ 4]
Arelgau or Arlenais: along the headlands of the upper Semois , west of Luxembourg
Barrois : along the Ornain , between the Marne and Meuse , southwest of Verdun
Blois : along the upper Meuse, south of Verdun
Bidgau [de ] or Bitgau: south Eifel around Bitburg [ 4]
Bliesgau : along the Blies [ 4]
Carosgau [de ] or pagus Caroscus: along the upper Kyll and the upper Prüm , around the town of Prüm ; possibly named from the Belgic tribe of the Caeroesi
Pagus Castricius [fr ] : along the upper Meuse, around Charleville-Mézières
Chaumontois [fr ] : along the upper Meurthe and Moselle, southwest of Nancy
Dulcomensis : between the Aisne and Meuse, northwest of Verdun
Eichelgau : along the Eichel (Saar) [de ] , southeast of Saarbrücken [ 4]
Hunsrückgau : in the western Hunsrück , along the Moselle, northeast of Trier
Karosgau : along the Prüm in western Eifel [ 4]
Maifeld : at the confluence of the Middle Rhine and Moselle rivers, southwest of Koblenz
Methingau [de ] : along the upper Alzette, around Luxembourg City [ 4]
Metzgau : along the middle Moselle, the area surrounding Metz [ 4]
Moselgau [de ] : along the lower/middle Moselle between Cochem and Metz [ 6] : 484 ; largely overlapping with territories in Bidgau, Metzgau, and Wavergau and possibly replaced early on by them
Mosomensis : along the upper Meuse in the Ardennes, north of Verdun
Niedgau : along the Nied , east of Metz [ 4]
Ornois [fr ] : along the river Ornain between Lorraine and Champagne
Rizzigau : along the midde Moselle, around Thionville [ 4]
Saargau : along the Saar , sometimes divided into Upper Saargau around Sarrebourg and Lower Saargau around Wallerfangen [ 4]
Saintois [fr ] : between the upper Meuse and Moselle, south of Toul
Salingau or Saulnois [fr ] ; along the Seille
Sauergau : along the Sauer in Luxembourg [ 4]
Scarponagau or Scarponois: along the middle Moselle, roughly between Toul and Metz [ 4]
Soulossois : along the upper headlands of the Meuse, southwest of Toul
Toulois [fr ] : on the upper Moselle, around Toul
Trechirgau : between the lower Moselle and the left bank of the Middle Rhine, in the eastern Hunsrück
Triergau [de ] : on the right banks of the Saar and Moselle, southeast of Trier [ 4]
Verdungau or Verdunois [fr ] : along the upper Meuse, around Verdun [ 4]
Wavergau or Woëvregau: between the Meuse and Moselle; Woëvre region in the southwest and Luxembourg in the northeast [ 4]
Duchy of Saxony
Angria
Almango : north of the Ittergau/Nithersi, east of Angeron, south of the Patherga
(Saxon) Ammergau [de ] : modern Ammerland
Augau [de ] : in Lower Saxony , on the Weser around Höxter , west of Nethegau
Bardengau : the territory around Lüneburg
Bukkigau [de ] : the Kreis of Schaumburg , Lower Saxony (Bukki being an old form of Buche)
Dervegau : between the Hunte and middle Weser rivers, north of Minden
Grindirigau : between the Weser and the confluence of the Leine and Aller
Haduloha [de ] : around Land Hadeln and Wursten (History of Hadeln and Wursten [de ] )
Heilangau [de ] : Bremervörde , Buxtehude , Harburg , Stade
(Saxon) Hessengau : in western Westphalia and southern Lower Saxony[ 3]
Lübbeckegauor Lidbekegau: from Lübbecke in Westphalia to the Dümmer See
Ittergau [de ] or Nithersi: on the middle Eder [ 3]
Largau [de ] : along the lower Weser river, southwest of Bremen
Leinegau [de ] or (Ober-)Leinegau: along the upper Leine around Göttingen [ 3]
Loingau [de ] or (Unter)-Leinegau: along the lower Leine and Aller rivers, northeast of Celle
Liesgau : in southern Lower Saxony; western Harzvorland [de ] [ 3]
Marstemgau [de ] : around Hanover
Moringen : along the Moore (Leine) [de ] river, tributary of the Leine river
Moside : along the Elbe river south of Hamburg
Nethegau or Netgau: around Brakel and Bad Driburg in Westphalia
Ostegau : along the Oste river on the Elbe estuary
Osterburg-Gau [de ] : in the Weserbergland
Padergau : around Paderborn [ 3]
Rittigau [de ] : around Northeim , southern Lower Saxony
Sintfeld : south of Paderborn, Bürener Land [de ]
Soratfeld : southeast of Paderborn, Bürener Land; sometimes considered part of Padergau
Sturmigau [de ] : modern Verden district ; from Hoya on the right of the Weser at the confluence with the Aller[ 7]
Suilbergau or Sülberggau: west of the Leine around Einbeck in Lower Saxony with central court (Gerichtsstätte) around Strodthagen [de ]
Theotmelli : territory around Detmold (ancient name Tietmelli or Theotmalli)
Tilithigau [de ] : around Bad Pyrmont , southern Lower Saxony
Treveresgau : around Salzkotten , Paderborner Land
(Saxon) Waldsassengau or Waldeston: between Bremen and Zeven
Werregau or Wehsigau: along the Werre river, west of the Weser
Wetigau [de ] : the Schwalenberg area in the district of Lippe
Gau Wigmodien [de ] : north of Bremen
Eastphalia
Ambergau : along the Nette , around Bockenem
Aringen [de ] or Erichsgau: along the middle Leine , around Alfeld [ 6] : 76
Astfala [de ] or Eastphaliagau: north of Hildesheim , west of Brunswick
Balsamgau or Gau Balcsem, modern Saxony-Anhalt
Derlingau : east of Brunswick
Gau Drevani or Drawehn : along the Elbe and Jeetzel rivers, southwest of Lüneburg
Gau Flenithi [de ] or Flenthiga: in Gandersheim /Winzenburg region
Flutwidde [de ] : along the lower Fuhse , south of Celle
Friesenfeld : between Allstedt and Merseburg
Gretinge : north of Celle
Gudingau [de ] or Godingon: around Elze in the Saale valley up to the Leine
Harzgau : Harz mountains
Hassegau : between Mansfeld , Naumburg , Halle and Wettin
Liergau [de ] or Leragau: between the Fuhse and Oker
Nordthüringgau : on the left bank of the Elbe, around Magdeburg ; territory of the Thuringii which had become part of the Stem Duchy of Saxony
Gau Osterwalde : northern and eastern Altmark
(Easphalian) Salzgau [de ] or Saltgau: around Salzgitter
Schwabengau : western Saxony-Anhalt
Scotelingau or Scotelingen: west and northwest of Hildesheim
Valedungen or Valothungau: southwest of Halberstadt , along the Leine river
Wenzengau or Densigau: around Goslar
Wikanafeld [de ] : around Eschershausen ; an untergau of Gudingau
Nordalbingia
Westphalia
Sclavonia
Billung March
Northern March
Gau Desseri [de ] or Dassia, on the Dosse ; possible extent eastward along the upper Havel
Groswin : south of the Peene and southwest of Usedom , around Anklam
Heveller : along the lower Havel, Havelland plus northern Zauche
Gau Liezizi [pl ] : between the lower Havel and Elbe
Linones or Linagga: northern Prignitz , between the Elde and Elbe
Meseritz : south of the Peene, northeast of Neubrandenburg
Moraciani [de ; pl ] : on the eastern shore of the Elbe from Magdeburg up to Schartau
Gau Murizzi [pl ] : around the southern half of Lake Müritz
Nielitizi or Brizanen [pl ; de ] : at the confluence of the Elbe and Havel rivers, southern Prignitz; the Brizanen are described as inhabiting the same area, though Nielitizi is more commonly attested as the name of the area/gau; sometimes confused with Neletizi
Plote or Ploth: between the Peene and Tollensee , east of Demmin
Redarier [de ] : southeast of Neubrandenburg and northeast of Neustrelitz
Gau Retschanen [de ] or Rizani: eastern Brandenburg , northeast of Berlin
Sprevane : along the lower Spree , the majority of Berlin and the area east
Tollensians or Tholenz: north of the Tollensesee, northwest of Neubrandenburg, southeast of Lake Kummerow
Ukrani : along the Ucker , roughly coterminous with the Uckermark
Gau Zemzizi [de ] : along the Havel river, north of Brandenburg
Saxon Eastern March
March of Lusatia : created in 965; gradually replaced title of Saxon East March
Gau Zerwisti or Ciervisti: at the confluence of the Elbe and Saale around Zerbst
Gau Coledizi [de ] : in Saxony-Anhalt , between Halle and Köthen
Lusitzi [de ] : roughly coterminous with Lower Lusatia
Gau Neletizi [de ; pl ] : east of the Saale around Nehlitz [de ] including the castle Giebichenstein (Halle) [de ]
Gau Nice : along the lower Neisse at the confluence with the Oder ; poorly attested
Gau Nizizi [de ] : territory between the Elbe, Mulde and Black Elster
Gau Nudzici [de ; pl ] : east of the Saale between Halle and Bernburg
Gau Ploni or Planegau: southern Zauche and eastern Fläming , along the Plane ; poorly attested, territory sometimes considered an extension south of the Heveller
Gau Selpuli : along the lower Spree and lower Neisse rivers, southeast of Berlin; northern portion of territory sometimes considered extension south of the Sprevane
Gau Serimunt [de ] : between the Saale, Mulde, Elbe and Fuhne
Gau Siusili [de ] or Susali: in the Leipzig Basin on the Mulde in Saxony
Gau Sorau or Zara: between the lower Bóbr and lower Neisse rivers, east of Cottbus
Gau Wolauki : along the middle Elbe, north of the Dübener Heide and south of Wittenberg ; very poorly attested
Gau Zitizi [de ] or Citice: along the Mulde near the confluence with the Elbe, around Dessau ; poorly attested, either a sub-gau of or split between Serimunt and Nizizi
March of Meissen : created in 965; sometimes referred to as part of the Saxon East March, gradually seen as separate
March of Merseburg : created in 965; sometimes referred to as part of the Saxon East March, gradually seen as separate
March of Zeitz : created in 965; sometimes referred to as part of the Saxon East March, gradually seen as separate
Brisingau : between the Saale and White Elster , west of Gera ; sometimes shown divided between Orla and Strupenia, location guessed upon by scholars[citation needed ]
Chutizi Orientalis : along the Chemnitz , around Chemnitz ; sometimes depicted as part of Glomacze
Dobnagau [de ] or Gau Dobenau: along the upper White Elster , around Plauen , roughly coterminous with Vogtland
Gau Ducharin [de ] or Thucharini: along the middle White Elster , around Teuchern in Saxony-Anhalt
Gau Geraha : along the middle White Elster , around Gera
Gau Plisni or Pleißegau: between the White Elster and the Zwickauer Mulde , roughly coterminous with Pleissnerland
Gau Puonzowa : along the middle White Elster , around Zeitz
Strupenice or Strupenia: along the Gleise , east of Jena ; multiple name variants, little attestation outside of name
Weitagau or Weitaha: on the right bank of the middle Saale , south and east of Naumburg ; poorly attested
Gau Zwikau : along the upper Zwickauer Mulde , south of Zwickau ; sometimes shown to extend east into Chutizi Orientalis
Duchy of Swabia
Apphagau [de ] : on the north bank of the upper Danube , around Riedlingen ; sub-gau of Albuinsbar
Gau Alba [de ] : northeastern portion of the Swabian Alb
Albgau or Alpgau: along the north bank of the High Rhine , west of Schaffhausen ; named after the Alb river
Albuinsbar [de ] : between the Wutach and Breg ; a subdivision of the Bertoldsbaar[ 8] , some sources using Albuinsbar as an alternate name for the entire area[ 1]
Allgäu or Alpgau: along the upper Iller and upper Lech , bounded by the Allgäu Alps
Argengau : along the Argen , between the Iller and Lake Constance
(Eastern) Augstgau : along the lower Lech and Wertach , around Augsburg
Bertoldsbaar [de ] or Perahtoltaspara: along the upper Danube , around the Swabian Alb ; large territory consisting of several sub-gaus and huntares [de ]
Breisgau : along the right bank of the Upper Rhine and the north bank of the High Rhine , around Freiburg
Burichingagau : along the Lauchert , in the western portion of the Swabian Alb ; sub-gau of Bertoldsbaar
Drachgau : along the upper Kocher and upper Rems , around Schwäbisch Gmünd
Duriagau : along the Günz and the Mindel
Engadin : along the upper Inn , the upper most portion of the Inntal , in southern Graubünden
Eritgau [de ] or Ertgau: along the southern bank of the upper Danube , around Bad Saulgau
Filsgau : along the Fils , around Göppingen
Folcholtsbaar [de ] : along the Riß , around Biberach [ 8]
Glehuntare : along the upper Würm , west of Stuttgart; considered a sub-gau of Bertoldsbaar in some sources[ 1]
Goldineshuntare [de ] : along the Ablach , around Krauchenwies ; sub-gau of Linzgau or Bertoldsbaar
Haistergau : along the Umlach and upper Riß , around Bad Waldsee ; sub-gau of Folkoltsbaar
Hattenhuntare : along the Starzel , around Hechingen
Hegau : between the High Rhine and upper Danube , northwest of Lake Constance and northeast of Schaffhausen
Illergau [de ] : along the middle Iller , around Memmingen
Keltenstein : along the upper Lech , around the Forggensee ; contains the Dengelstein [de ] a large boulder whose name is derived from Keltenstein
Klettgau [de ] : along the north bank of the High Rhine , west of Schaffhausen ; sub-gau of Albgau
Linzgau : between the upper Danube and the northwestern half of Lake Constance
Munderkinger Gau or Muntaricheshuntare: along the south bank of the upper Danube , around Munderkingen ; sub-gau of Bertoldsbaar[ 8]
Munigiseshuntare : along the Lauter , around Münsingen ; sub-gau of Bertoldsbaar
Nagoldgau [de ] or Naglachgowe: along the upper Nagold , around Nagold ; includes portions of the modern Korngäu [de ] and Heckengäu
Neckargau [de ] : along the middle Neckar , near Stuttgart [ 3]
Nibelgau [de ] : along the Eschach , around Leutkirch ; sub-gau of Argungau
Nordgau : roughly coterminous with Bas-Rhin department, northern Alsace
Ortenau or Mortenau: along the right bank of the Upper Rhine , around Offenburg
Pfullichgau : along the Echaz , around Reutlingen
Raetia Curiensis or Churrätien: along the Alpine Rhine , roughly coterminous with modern Graubünden ; some sources consider Raetia its own province which included Rheingau, Engadin, and sometimes Vinschgau[ 5]
(Ober-)rätien or pagus Curiensis: north of the Landquart and the Rätikon mountains; some sources dispute the division of Raetia into two subdivisions[ 1]
(Unter-)rätien or pagus Raetia Curiensis: south of the Landquart and the Rätikon mountains; some sources dispute the division of Raetia into two subdivisions[ 1]
Rammachgau : along the Rot and the Dürnach , around Laupheim
(Alemannic) Rheingau : along the Alpine Rhine at the confluence with Lake Constance , around Bregenz
Riesgau [de ] : along the Kessel and the Nördlinger Ries , around Nördlingen
Scherragau [de ] : between the upper Danube and the upper Neckar , in the southwestern Swabian Alb ; subdivision of Bertoldsbaar
Schussengau : along the Schussen and the northeastern bank of Lake Constance ; sub-gau of Linzgau
Schwerzgau or Swerzenhuntare: along the north bank of the upper Danube , southwest of Ulm ; sub-gau of Bertoldsbaar
Swiggerstal : along the Erms , around Metzingen
Sülchgau [de ] : along the middle Neckar , around Tübingen
Sundgau : roughly coterminous with Haut-Rhin department, southern Alsace
Thurgau : along the Thur , between Lake Constance and Lake Zürich , the cantons of Thurgau , St. Gallen , Appenzell , and eastern Zürich ; some sources include all of the territory of Zürichgau [de ] , stretching to the eastern shores of Lake Lucerne [ 1]
(Alemannic) Waldgau : along the upper Murg , around Freudenstadt , in the northern Black Forest
Walgau [de ] /Welschgau or Val Druschauna: the Ill valley, southern Vorarlberg ; sub-gau of Raetia Curiensis
Zürichgau [de ] : between Lake Lucerne and Lake Zürich , the cantons of Zürich , Zug , Schwyz , Glarus , and Uri
Duchy of Thuringia
Altgau : along the Helbe river [de ] , between the upper Wipper and middle Unstrut , north of Erfurt and east of Mühlhausen ; some sources indicate Altgau extending south of the Unstrut towards Erfurt, and north of the Wipper towards Nordhausen [ 1]
Eichsfeld [de ] : between the upper Unstrut and lower Werra , along the Hainich hills, around Heiligenstadt ; larger than the modern region but without the Low Saxon territory around Duderstadt ; some sources indicate Eichsfeld extending west of the Werra to include Eschwege [ 1]
Gau Engilin [de ] : along the lower Unstrut and the Finne hills, west of Naumburg
Germar-Mark [de ] : along the lower Werra and upper Unstrut , centered on and named after Görmar , now in Mühlhausen ; likely established as a mark to defend against the Saxons in the 9th century, gradually lost importance and was superseded by the gaues of Eichsfeld, Westergau, and Altgau
Helmegau [de ] : along the Helme , around Nordhausen
Husitingau [de ] or Usitigau: between the Ilm and Saale , southeast of Weimar ; some sources describe as a sub-gau of Ostergau[ 5]
Längwitzgau [de ] : along the upper Ilm , around Ilmenau and Arnstadt
Nabelgau [de ] : between the lower Wipper and Helme , along the Kyffhäuser hills, around Frankenhausen ; some sources indicate Nabelgau extending west along the Wipper to include the territory of Wippergau as a sub-gau[ 1]
Natergau or Watergau: along the Notter , east of Mühlhausen ; sub-gau of Altgau
Ohmfeldgau [de ] or Ohnfelt: along the sources of the Leine and Wipper rivers, around Leinefelde ; sub-gau of Eichsfeld
Orlagau : along the upper Saale , around Saalfeld ; some sources indicate it as a territory of the March of Zeitz , separated from Thuringia[ 1]
(Thuringian) Ostergau : along the lower Ilm , around Weimar ; some sources indicate Ostergau extending west towards Erfurt and including the territory of Thüringgau[ 1]
Ringgau [de ] : along the middle Werra , southwest of Eisenach ; sub-gau of Westergau
Thüringgau or Südthüringgau: on the south bank of the middle Unstrut , along the Gera , around Erfurt ; some sources omit this gau entirely and show its territory split between Westergau in the west, Ostergau in the east, and Altgau in the north[ 1]
(Thuringian) Westergau [de ] : along the middle Werra and the Hörsel , around Eisenach and Gotha
Wiehegau or Wigsezi: between the lower Unstrut and Finne hills; some sources describe as a sub-gau of Engilin[ 5]
Wippergau : along the upper Wipper , around Sondershausen ; some sources describe as a sub-gau of Nabelgau[ 1]
Outside the Kingdom of Germany
Duchy of Bohemia
Kingdom of Burgundy
Margraviate of Flanders
West Francia/Kingdom of France
Unknown or Mythological Gaue
Gau Jom [de ] : controversial historical territory settled by and subject to the Jomsvikings as well as a Danish exclave on the Pomeranian coast
Winidon : a supposed gau in eastern Thuringia listed in many sources; first listed in sources by error due to a hole in a historical document[ 10] : 223-225
See also
Sources
August von Wersebe: Beschreibung der Gaue between Elbe, Saale und Unstrut, Weser und Werra, insofern solche zu Eastphalia mit Nord-Thuringia und zu Ost-Engern gehört haben, und wie sie im 10ten und 11ten Jahrhundert befunden sind. Hahn, Hannover 1829, Digitalisat .
Wachter, Ferdinand (1852). "1: A – G. Theil 54: Gargano – Gauhe. ". In Ersch, Johann S. ; Gruber, Johann G. (eds.). Allgemeine Encyclopädie der Wissenschaften und Künste [General Encyclopedia of the Sciences and Arts ] (in German). Leipzig: Brockhaus. pp. 405– 449.
Boettger, Heinrich. Diöcesan- and Gau-Grenzen Norddeutschlands zwischen Oder, Main, jenseits des Rheins, der Nord- und Ostsee. Von Ort zu Ort schreitend festgestellt [Diocese and Gau borders of northern Germany between the Oder, Main, beyond the Rhine, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea ] (in German). Buchhandlung des Waisenhauses u. a., Halle u. a. 1875–1876:
Volume 1: Von Ort zu Ort schreitende Begrenzung von 31 Gauen und 10 Untergauen in 7 Bisthümern und 108 geistlichen Bezirken in Franken, nebst einer Gau- und einer dieselbe begründenden Diöcesankarte [From place to place progressing boundaries of 31 Gaue and 10 sub- Gaue in 7 bishoprics and 108 ecclesiastical districts in Franconia, in addition to a Gau map and a corresponding diocese map ], 1875
Volume 2: Von Ort zu Ort schreitende Begrenzung von 40 Gauen und 39 Untergauen in 6 Bisthümern und 130 geistlichen Bezirken im Umfange der Provinz Hannover, nebst einer Gau- und einer dieselbe begründenden Diöcesankarte. [From place to place progressing boundaries of 40 Gaue and 39 sub- Gaue in 6 bishoprics and 130 ecclesiastical districts in the province of Hanover, in addition to a Gau map and a corresponding diocese map ], 1874
Volume 3: Von Ort zu Ort schreitende Begrenzung von 43 Gauen und 24 Untergauen in 6 Bisthümern und 110 geistlichen Bezirken in Altsachsen und Friesland, nebst einer Gau- und einer dieselbe begründenden Diöcesankarte. [From place to place progressing boundaries of 43 Gaue and 24 sub- Gaue in 6 bishoprics and 110 ecclesiastical districts in Old Saxony and Frisia, in addition to a Gau map and a corresponding diocese map ], 1875
Volume 4: Von Ort zu Ort schreitende Begrenzung von 60 Gauen and 11 Untergauen in 7 Bisthümern und 148 geistlichen Bezirken im Umfange des Slavenlandes, nebst einer Gau- und einer dieselbe begründenden Diöcesankarte. [From place to place progressing boundaries of 60 Gaue and 11 sub- Gaue in 7 bishoprics and 148 ecclesiastical districts in the lands of the Slavs, in addition to a Gau map and a corresponding diocese map ], 1876
Gaukarte und eine dieselbe begründende Diöcesankarte zu den Diöcesan- und Gaugrenzen Norddeutschlands. [ Gau map and a corresponding diocese map of the diocese and Gau borders of northern Germany ], 1876
Schultze, Walther (1896). Die fränkischen Gaue Badens [The Frankish Gaue of Baden ] (in German). Stuttgart: Strecker & Moser.
Müller, Ferdinand (1842). Die deutschen Stämme und ihre Fürsten, oder historische Entwickelung der Territorial-Verhältnisse Deutschlands im Mittelalter [The German Tribes and their Princes, or the Historical Development of German Territorial Conditions in the Middle Ages ] (in German). Berlin.
References
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Hand-Atlas für die Geschichte des Mittelalters und der neueren Zeit (on Wikisource in German: 'Hand Atlas for the History of the Middle Ages and Modern Times)
^ Norbert Herler (Red.): Laibstadt [de ] – Ein Dorf verändert sich. Zum 25-jährigen Bestehen des Heimat- and Verschönerungsvereins Laibstadt 1976–2001. Heimat- and Verschönerungsverein Laibstadt, Laibstadt 2001, S. 19.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an "Geschichtlicher Atlas von Hessen: Die Gaue vor 900" [Historical Atlas of Hesse: The Gaue before 900]. Landesgeschichtliches Informationssystem Hessen (in German). 2006.
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Puhl, Roland W. L. Die Gaue and Grafschaften des frühen Mittelalters im Saar-Mosel-Raum: Philologisch-onomastische Studien zur frühmittelalterlichen Raumorganisation anhand der Raumnamen and der mit ihnen spezifizierten Ortsnamen [The Gaue and Counties of the early middle ages in the Saar-Mosel area: Philological-onomastic studies of early medieval territorial organisation based on the territory names and their broken-down place names ] (in German). Vol. 13. Beiträge zur Sprache im Saar-Mosel-Raum . Saarbrücker Druck und Verlag, Saarbrücken, 1999 -and- Saarbrücken Universität, Dissertation, 1996. ISBN 3-930843-48-X .
^ a b c d Droysens, Gerhard (1886). Allgemeiner Historischer Handatlas [General Historical Hand Atlas ] (in German).
^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2014). Historische Enzyklopädie der Länder der Deutschen [Historical Encyclopedia of the German Lands ] (PDF) (in German) (14 ed.). C.H.Beck. ISBN 978-3406549861 .
^ Heimatkalender für den Landkreis Verden. Bd. 31, 1988, ISSN 0948-9584 , S. 158.
^ a b c Beschreibung des Oberamts Ehingen § Geschichtliche Denkwürdigkeiten (on Wikisource in German: 'Description of the Oberamt of Ehingen § Historically Notabilities')
^ Marie-Claire Gérard-Zai / GL: Ogoz in German , French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland .
^ Dobenecker, Otto (1892). Hat es in Thüringen einen Gau Winidon gegeben?: Zeitschrift des Vereins für Thüringische Geschichte und Altertumskunde [Was there a Gau Winidon in Thuringia? : Journal of the Association for Thuringian History and Archeology ] (in German) (15 ed.). pp. 223– 225.