earl etymology

Etymology:

  • Old English "eorl"
  • Proto-Germanic "*erlaz"
  • Proto-Indo-European "*h₂ers-" (nobleman, warrior)

Meaning:

  • A nobleman, especially in Anglo-Saxon England
  • A military leader
  • A count

Origin:

The word "earl" derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "*h₂ers-" meaning "nobleman" or "warrior." This root is also the source of the Latin word "heres" (heir), the Greek word "aristos" (best, noble), and the Sanskrit word "arya" (noble).

In Old English, "eorl" referred to a nobleman or military leader, typically ranked below a king. The term was later adopted by the Normans after the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, where it became synonymous with the Continental title "count."

Today, "earl" remains a title of nobility in many European countries, including the United Kingdom, where it is ranked above a viscount and below a marquess.

earl relate terms

  • count

    Etymology The word count originates from the Old French word conte which itself deri

  • alderman

    Etymology Alder man Meaning A member of the governing body of a city or town resp

  • earl

    Etymology Old English eorl Proto Germanic erlaz Proto Indo European h₂ers n

  • count

    Etymology The word count originates from the Old French word conte which itself deri

  • duke

    Etymology The word duke comes from the Middle Latin word dux meaning leader This

  • margrave

    Etymology and Origin of Margrave Etymology The word margrave derives from the Old H

  • Chesterfield

    Etymology and Origin of Chesterfield The term Chesterfield has two distinct origins

  • cardigan

    Etymology The word cardigan comes from the name of a British general James Thomas Bru

  • marquis

    Etymology The word marquis has a long and complex etymological history derived from mu

  • county

    Etymology The word county is derived from the Old French word cunté which in turn i

  • Kimberley

    Etymology The name Kimberley originates from the Aboriginal word Guluwarra meaning r

  • peer

    Etymology The word peer comes from the Latin word par which means equal It was fi