thane

or thegn

[ theyn ]

noun

1. Early English History. a member of any of several aristocratic classes of men ranking between earls and ordinary freemen, and granted lands by the king or by lords for military service.
2. Scottish History. a person, ranking with an earl's son, holding lands of the king; the chief of a clan, who became one of the king's barons.

thane

/ ˈθeɪnɪdʒ; θeɪn /

noun

1. (in Anglo-Saxon England) a member of an aristocratic class, ranking below an ealdorman, whose status was hereditary and who held land from the king or from another nobleman in return for certain services
2. in medieval Scotland
   1. a person of rank, often the chief of a clan, holding land from the king
   2. a lesser noble who was a Crown official holding authority over an area of land

Derived Forms

• thanage, noun

Other Words From

• under·thane noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of thane¹

before 900; late Middle English, spelling variant ( Scots ) of Middle English thain, thein, Old English thegn; cognate with Old Norse thegn subject, German Degen warrior, hero, Greek téknon child

Word History and Origins

Origin of thane¹

Old English thegn; related to Old Saxon, Old High German thegan thane

Example Sentences

When we say that something in our contemporary politics — say, a minor thane with murderous aspiration to absolute power — is Shakespearean, we are essentially saying it has the character of something from the Tudor age.

From Washington Post

Not only him, by any means: the ensemble of thanes and wives, hired killers and servants, witches and children is pretty much flawless.

From New York Times

On Mr Norris’s cue, he became the thane, hand clutched to his pate in anguish, eyes aglow.

From Economist

It was settled 1,000 years ago, give or take, when the king gave land to one of his thanes, Earl Aelfheah.

From New York Times

For all the dragon’s talk, I had no intention of terrifying Hrothgar’s thanes for nothing.

From Literature