A debreceni Hatvan és Cegléd utcák eredetének nyomában

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the historical origins of two public spaces in Debrecen, namely Hatvan and Cegléd Streets. During the Middle Ages, segments of roads leading away from settlements were often named after places impacted by the given route that functioned as crossings or transportation hubs. In the case of Debrecen, this pattern can be observed in the context of Várad Street. However, regarding the names of Hatvan and Cegléd Streets, the currently accepted theories reject the origin associated with place names. For Hatvan Street, a numerical name reference is noted, while for Cegléd Street, an etymology linked to a plant name is generally accepted. The study reviews relevant sources and literature that question the historical validity of currently widespread explanations and at the same time, suggests the acceptance of place name origins for both public spaces.