The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Race
Division
Order
Culture
This title was used among the Rohirrim
Meaning
Probably 'grey cloak'1
Other names
Greymantle; Gandalf was known more generally as 'the Grey', and bore various other related titles: the Grey Fool, the Grey Messenger, the Grey Pilgrim, the Grey Wanderer
Title of

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 15 November 2021
  • This entry is complete

Greyhame

Gandalf’s surname among the Rohirrim

"Here now I name my guest, Gandalf Greyhame, wisest of counsellors, most welcome of wanderers..."
Words of Théoden
from The Two Towers III 6
The King of the Golden Hall

One of Gandalf's many titles and surnames, used particularly in the country of Rohan. It was the equivalent in the tongue of the Rohirrim of 'Greymantle' or 'Greycloak'. According to some sources, the name is a rendering into ancient English of Incánus, the Westron name for Gandalf (though note that this is only one of several competing explanations of the old name Incánus).


Notes

1

The word 'hame' comes from Old English hama, which literally meant 'skin' or 'hide', but could also be used of clothing. Considering Gandalf's other titles of Greycloak and Greymantle, 'hame' in this context probably means 'cloak', though 'Greyhame' could conceivably be interpreted in a more general sense, as something like 'clothed in Grey'.

See also...

Greymantle

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 15 November 2021
  • This entry is complete

For acknowledgements and references, see the Disclaimer & Bibliography page.

Original content © copyright Mark Fisher 2003, 2021. All rights reserved. For conditions of reuse, see the Site FAQ.

Website services kindly sponsored by Axiom Discovery aptitude and skill testing.
Personality is one part of understanding a candidate's suitability for a role, but aptitude can also be crucial.
The Encyclopedia of Arda
The Encyclopedia of Arda
Menu
Homepage Search Latest Entries and Updates Random Entry