målgene

Målgene is the name of several small settlements in Norway. There is no single primary locality by this name; instead, Målgene refers to multiple rural places that appear in municipal and regional records.

Etymology and meaning

The name is of Norwegian origin. It likely derives from the word mål, which can mean goal, target, or boundary marker, combined with a suffix used in place-name formations to indicate plural or multiple landmarks. In this sense, Målgene can be interpreted as “the landmarks” or “the boundary markers” associated with a farm, field system, or district.

Geography and economy

Målgene sites are typically rural and characterized by dispersed farmsteads, forests, and small-scale land use. They are usually situated in valleys, along inland waterways, or in agricultural regions where land division and natural features historically guided settlement. The local economy has traditionally centered on agriculture, forestry, and related activities, with variation from one site to another.

Administration and demographics

Each Målgene belongs to a larger municipality and county, and there is no centralized administration for the name itself. Population sizes are small, often ranging from a few dozen to a few hundred residents across the different locations. Services such as schooling, healthcare, and commerce are provided by the respective municipality or nearby regional centers.

History and culture

Place-name records date Målgene to earlier centuries, with spelling variants reflecting changes in Norwegian orthography. Today, the name survives mainly in maps, signage, and local memory, occasionally tied to traditional rural associations or community gatherings in the individual sites.

See also

List of Norwegian place names, toponymy in Norway, disambiguation of Målgene.