Saeros settled in Doriath after the fall of his lord Denethor during the first invasions into Beleriand by Morgoth. This event is dated as Valian Year 1497 (or twenty-nine years before the first rising of the Sun). Saeros was thus at least 513 years old when he was slain by Túrin, and may conceivably have been much older still.

Though Saeros' name is not explained, it seems to be linked to the word saer, meaning 'bitter', a derivation that suits Saeros' character well.

Saeros is never named Orgol in the narrative, but it seems evident that Tolkien planned to change the name of this character, though in practice this change never found its way into the published accounts. In his Appendix to The Children of Húrin, Christopher Tolkien notes the fact that this name coincides with the Old English orgol, 'pride'. This suits the character admirably, but cannot have been the origin of this Elf's name within the story itself.