List of Possible Name Origins

This is a list of possible sources for names and places used in the Tolkien universe. In interviews, J.R.R.Tolkien revealed he was a scholar of Old English and European History and was influenced by these cultures, languages and histories.
==List of possible origins==
===Things===
* The One Ring - Based on one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Islands of Britain; The Stone and Ring of Eluned the Fortunate. One might describe it as a ring of invisibility. It's said that Merlin once possessed this item for a while. 
* Cloak of the Elves - Based on one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Islands of Britain. A "Mantle of Invisibility" is described in the tale Culhwch and Olwen (c. 1100) as one of King Arthur's most prized possessions. The mantle is described again, and in more detail, In the Breuddwyd Rhonabwy, and is later listed as one of the Thirteen Treasures of the Island of Britain. A similar mantle appears in the Second Branch of the Mabinogi, in which it is used by Caswallawn to assassinate the seven stewards left behind by Bran the Blessed and usurp the throne.
*Glamdring - Based on one of the Thirteen Treasures of Britain. White-Hilt, the Sword of Rhydderch Hael (Dyrnwyn, gleddyf Rhydderch Hael): "if a well-born man drew it himself, it burst into flame from its hilt to its tip. And everyone who used to ask for it would receive; but because of this peculiarity everyone used to reject it. And therefore he was called Rhydderch the Generous."
===People===
*Aragorn - Perhaps merging together King Arthur with King Alfred The Great of Wessex, described by Snyder as "an unexpected monarch (he had four elder brothers) and inspirational leader who united disparate peoples". The Dutch medievalist Thijs Porck writes that Alfred, like Aragorn, spent time in exile. Danes attacked him in Chippenham, and he took refuge in the wilds before gathering an army at Egbert's Stone and defeating the Danes at the Battle of Edington. Alfred's history parallels Aragorn's gathering of the Dead, the Oathbreakers, at the Stone of Erech.
*Arwen - Perhaps linked with Penarwan ferch Culfanawyd Prydain, wife of Owain (Sir Gawain in the Arthur books), son of Urien of Rheged. Also perhaps linked to Catherine of Aragon, Queen consort of England.
*Celeborn - Similar to the name of King Arthur's sword, according to Roger of Wendover. "He was girded with an excellent sword named "Caliburn", and a lance named Ron graced his right hand."
*Denethor - Perhaps a merging of Dane (someone from Denmark) and Thor - taken from Beowulf.
*Dúnedain - Almost certainly a reference of the ancient name for Edinburgh. The term Din Eidyn first appears in Y Gododdin, a poem that depicts events relating to the Battle of Catraeth, thought to have been fought circa 600AD. The modern Scottish Gaelic name "Dùn Èideann" derives directly from the British Din Eidyn.
*Elrond - perhaps derives from Eluned the Fortunate, the barer of the Ring of Invisibility, one of the Thirteen Treasures of Britain. 
*Éomer - Ēomǣr/Eomer "last King of the Angles in Angeln" (430-489). Mentioned in Beowulf.
*Frodo - Perhaps named after Frode I, Frodi I, "Fredegod", King of Denmark
*Gandalf - Perhaps Gandalf Alfgeirsson, King of Alfheim (705-768ad)
*Gimli - Perhaps from the Prose Edda "At the southern end of heaven is that hall which is fairest of all, and brighter than the sun; it is called Gimlé".
*Meriadoc - Named after Conan/Cynan Meriadoc ap Gereint, King of Dumnonia "Founder of Brittany" (250-300ad)
*Pippin - May originate from Pippin/Pepin the Short, King of the Franks. May also derive from Sir Percival (in the King Arthur stories) "Longspear" (Steel Arms), Peredur/Paladr Hir, King of Ebrauc.
*Sauron - In 1250 Robert de Mitton granted the advowson (the right to appoint the priest) of Mitton Church to Cockersand Abbey. This later makes for a dispute in 1369 between Thomas Sotheron (who was then Lord of Mitton) and Cockersand Abbey, as to who was to receive the tithe. This dispute may have also been used as a model in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Thomas Sotheron was eventually denied the church advowson by force from later historical accounts.
*Southron - In 1250 Robert de Mitton granted the advowson (the right to appoint the priest) of Mitton Church to Cockersand Abbey. This later makes for a dispute in 1369 between Thomas Sotheron (who was then Lord of Mitton) and Cockersand Abbey, as to who was to receive the tithe. This dispute may have also been used as a model in J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy. Thomas Sotheron was eventually denied the church advowson by force from later historical accounts.
*Théoden - apparent similarity is the death of King Theodoric I of the Visigoths on the Catalaunian Fields and that of Théoden on the Pelennor. Jordanes reports that Theodoric was thrown off by his horse and trampled to death by his own men who charged forward. Théoden also rallies his men shortly before he falls and is crushed by his horse. And like Theodoric, Théoden is carried from the battlefield with his knights weeping and singing for him while the battle still goes on.
===Places===
*Erebor - Perhaps in reference to the old name for York, England - Eboracum.
*Emnet - Eastemnet is situated in the middle of Tolkien's map, roughly where the Elmet region was situated in Britain
*Gondor - Probably comes from the Poem y Gododdin. Gododdin extended, possibly from the Stirling area to the Kingdom of Bryneich (Bernicia), and including what are now the Lothian and Borders regions of eastern Scotland.
*Helm's Deep - Possibly inspired by the region of Elmet, situated next to Rheged, which was surrounded by steep hills.
*Lothlórien - Probably comes from Lleuddiniawn, which was situated next to Gododdin, and today is known as East Lothian. 
*Lúthien - Another reference to Lothian, see above.
*Minas Tirith - Perhaps loosely based in Dinas Emrys, which said to be a Welsh castle under the control or King Arthur.
*Mordor - Perhaps named after Onelan Modor, a character in Scandinavian stories. More likely named after the land in the north of Britain under the control of Mordred in the King Arthur stories.
*Rivendell - Perhaps related to Riven Dale in the Peak District, half way between Lancashire and Yorkshire.
*Rohan/The Shire - Most likely comes from Tolkien's own home county of Rheged, today known as Lancashire. The warriors of Rheged were known for their use of horses.
*Umbar - Probably based on the River Humber.
*Weathertop Hill - perhaps a reference to Weather Hill, Yorkshire.
Category:Non-canon topics