The county, named after the Auglaize River, is located in the American state of Ohio. Some sources suggest its name is a corruption of “argile” (sand) and “eau” (water); others claim it’s an indigenous term for deforested woodlands. Another, less likely possibility, is that it derives from the French word “glace,” meaning “mirror” or “ice” (on the ice).
The connection between unanalyzed clay (“clayey water”) and certified clay (“clayey soil”) is debated. Still, Ramsey and Stewart agree that Auglaize County Auditor (and its variants such as “aux argiles”) is of American origin. The French term literally means “in the clay” (Dans les lèches) and describes a place where wild animals licked the salt and minerals from the soil, thus filling the gap in everyday French vocabulary for a salt source. The spelling “email” is obsolete (as evidenced by Cotgrave’s French-English dictionary of 1611).
Also found in Arkansas are Glazypeau Creek and a mountain named after the French “Glaise à Paul” (“Paul’s Flight”). The Native American (Algonquian) term, supposedly meaning “fallen forest” or “stain,” lacks an established etymology, and its pronunciation varies among the Shawnee.
According to the U.S. Census, the county encompasses a land area of 1,040 km² (401 square miles) and a water area of 1.3 km² (0.1%). It is the second smallest county in Ohio.
The Miami-Erie Canal and the Auglaize River run through the county. The headwaters of the Saint Marys, Great Miami, and Scioto Rivers, as well as portions of Great St. Marys and Loramie Lakes, are located within the county.