How Royal Families Got Their Names

Who gave the royal families their names?

King Halfdan the Old held a great sacrifice in midwinter. He wished to live as king for 300 years. The answer was that he could not live longer than a human lifetime. Instead, he was told that for 300 years his family would include no women or men of low rank.

The king and his wife had 18 sons. The account says that 9 were born at the same time. The first 9 won great fame in battle. Their names became titles for people of high rank, such as kings and earls. They had no children, and all died in battle.

The other 9 gave their names to royal families. For example, Yngvi’s descendants are called the Yngling family. Poets also use these family names as words for people of high rank. The Language of Poetry goes on to explain how names for King Half’s followers became words for warriors and people in general.

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