(1621, Martin Biscay<ref name="Martin Biscay">Derecho de naturaleza que la merindad de San-Juan-del-pie-del-puerto, una de las seys de Navarra, tiene en Castilla - 1622 petit in-4° </ref>)Alsiette (1667, regulations of the States of Navarre) The Basque name for the people of this area is Alzietar. According to Jean-Baptiste Orpustan, Alciette is derived from the medieval Alzueta which itself comes from the Basque alzu meaning "place where there are abundant alder trees". Bascassan The name Bascassan appears in the forms:Bazquazen (1208)Bascaçen (1292)Bascacen (1350))Bazcacen (1366))Basquacen (1413))Bazcacen (1513, Titles of Pamplona)Vazquacen (1613)Vazcazen and Vazaçan (1621 Martin Biscay)Bascassan (1789) Its origin is uncertain. The people of the area are called Bazkazandar in basque.Ahaxachillo is mentioned in the 1863 dictionary.)Bastida is also indicated by Raymond.Errékaldéa is mentioned with the spelling Errecaldia referring to the flowing stream of Bascassan flowing into the Laurhibar. CurutchetCurutchet (also called Garat) was a former fief of Ahaxe, a vassal of the Kingdom of Navarre. Etcheverria Paul Raymond mentioned an Etcheberry, a fief located in the parish of Alciette and a vassal of the Kingdom of Navarre. Garatehegi The name Garatehegi appears in the forms:Garateguia (1350)sent jullian et garateheguj (1366)la parropie de garatehegi (1413)Garatteguy (1518, Titles of Pamplona)Garatéhéguy (1708, Regulation of the commander of Irissarry)Garateguy (1863) Garatehegi from Basque means "summit of the high country". GasteluaGastelua appears with the spelling Gastellu in 1863. LibiétaLibiéta is a toponym that appears in the forms:Libiet (1621, Martin Biscay)Libiette (1789) LigetaLigeta is mentioned in the forms:Lagueta (1264)Ligueta (1307)Liguete (1350), 1366, and 1413). The origin of this toponym could be the Latin Liger (which was equally likely to be the origin of Loire). History The Lordship of Ahaxe, also called the Lordship of Cize, was allied with the Viscounts of Arbéroue in the 11th century as well as the lordships of Guiche and to the Counts of Biscay. Ahaxe and Alciette-Bascassan were reunited on 11 June 1842. Heraldry Administration List of Successive Mayors of Ahaxe-Alciette-Bascassan Inter-communality The commune belongs to seven inter-communal structures: the Communauté d'agglomération du Pays Basque; the AEP union of Ahaxe-Lecumberry-Mendive; the energy union of Pyrenees-Atlantiques; the RPI (Intercommunal Education) union Hergaray; the inter-communal union for the development and management of the abattoir of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port; the joint association for the watershed of the Nive; the union to support Basque culture. Population Economy Economic activity is mainly agricultural. The commune is part of the zone designation of the Ossau-Iraty cheese. Culture and heritage Languages According