thane etymology

Etymology of "Thane":

The word "thane" is derived from the Old English term "thegn," which had multiple meanings:

• A servant or attendant of a nobleman
• A military retainer or vassal
• A nobleman or lord, especially one holding land from a king

Meaning of "Thane":

In the Anglo-Saxon period (c. 5th-11th centuries AD), a thane was a member of the warrior aristocracy below the rank of ealdorman (earl). Thanes held land on behalf of a king or lord, and were expected to provide military service and other forms of support in return.

Origin of "Thane":

The word "thegn" itself is of uncertain origin. Some scholars propose that it is derived from the Proto-Germanic root þeganan, meaning "to serve." Others suggest that it is related to the Old Norse word "þjónn," meaning "servant."

Usage of "Thane":

The term "thane" was used extensively in Anglo-Saxon England to denote a wide range of social ranks, from the king's personal retainers to the lowest members of the landed aristocracy. It was also used in Old Norse literature to refer to warriors and retainers.

In Modern Usage:

Today, the word "thane" is primarily used in historical contexts to refer to the Anglo-Saxon warrior aristocracy. It is also occasionally used as a title or surname.

thane relate terms

• dirndl

  Etymology The word dirndl is derived from the Old High German word dirna or tirn

• thane

  Etymology of Thane The word thane is derived from the Old English term thegn whic

• disciple

  Etymology The word disciple comes from the Latin discipulus which means pupil or

• thane

  Etymology of Thane The word thane is derived from the Old English term thegn whic

• lord

  Etymology The word lord comes from the Old English word hlāford which is derived fr

• citizen

  Citizen Etymology Meaning The process of altering the pronunciation or spelling of a wor

• noble

  Etymology The English word noble comes from the Old French noble c 1080 which is

• trivia

  Etymology and Meaning The word trivia originates from the Latin word trivium which m

• renounce

  Etymology Origin Late Middle English in the sense abandon give up from Old Fr

• Jurassic

  Etymology The term Jurassic is derived from the Latin word Jurensis which refers to

• Mediterranean

  Etymology Mediterranean comes from the Latin phrase mare mediterraneum meaning sea i

• conspiracy

  Etymology The word conspiracy comes from the Latin word conspirare which means to b

• hangover

  Etymology Hangover First recorded in 1809 Derived from the Middle English hangove m

• just

  Etymology Origin Old French conscience from Latin conscientia from com with sci