Saxon etymology

Etymology

Saxon is a term derived from the Old English word "Seaxe," which referred to the Germanic tribe known as the Saxons. The name "Seaxe" likely originates from the Old Saxon word "sahs," meaning "knife" or "short sword." This name may have been given to the tribe due to their use of a distinctive short sword in warfare.

Meaning

Saxon originally referred to the members of the Germanic tribe known as the Saxons. Over time, the term came to be used more broadly to refer to the people and culture of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms that established themselves in England after the Roman withdrawal.

In modern usage, "Saxon" can refer to:

  • The Anglo-Saxon people and their culture in England.
  • The descendants of the Anglo-Saxon people, particularly those living in the English-speaking world.
  • The Old English language spoken by the Anglo-Saxons.

Origin

The Saxons originated in the region of northern Germany known as Saxony. They were a nomadic Germanic tribe that migrated to Britain during the 5th and 6th centuries. Along with the Angles and Jutes, the Saxons established a number of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms in England. These kingdoms eventually merged to form the Kingdom of England in the 9th century.

The Anglo-Saxon period had a significant impact on the history and culture of England. The Saxons brought their own language, customs, and laws to Britain, which played a role in shaping the development of English society and language. The Anglo-Saxon culture also influenced other aspects of English life, such as art, architecture, and religion.

Saxon relate terms

  • Essex

    Etymology The name Essex is derived from the Old English words East and Seaxe mean

  • east

    Etymology The word east comes from the Old English word ēast which is related to t

  • Saxon

    Etymology Saxon is a term derived from the Old English word Seaxe which referred to th

  • frank

    Etymology The name Frank originates from the Frankish word franc which means free

  • frank

    Etymology The name Frank originates from the Frankish word franc which means free

  • liberal

    Etymology The term liberal originates from the Latin word liberalis which means per

  • sibling

    Etymology Old English sibling Derived from Proto Germanic siblingaz a derivative of

  • ingenuity

    Etymology The word ingenuity is derived from the Latin word ingenium which means na

  • sword

    Etymology Old English sweord Proto Germanic sweʒrdą Proto Indo European k̑rē d

  • bladder

    Etymology Middle English bladre from Old English blædre blæddre Proto Germanic b

  • fell

    Etymology The word fell has two distinct etymologies depending on its meaning 1 To

  • behold

    Etymology Origin Old English behaldan from Proto Germanic bihanthaldiz derived fr

  • beget

    Etymology Old English begitan to produce bring forth Proto Germanic bigitanan to

  • dern

    Etymology The word dern is derived from the Old English word dearn which means se

  • hawk

    Etymology The word hawk comes from the Middle English word hauk which is ultimately

  • tradition

    Etymology Latin traditio traditionis a handing over delivery transmission surren

  • profane

    Etymology The word profane derives from the Latin profanus meaning outside the tem

  • coordinate

    Etymology Latin coordinare meaning to arrange to order to put in order From the pr