Leofwine

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An Old English masculine given name meaning beloved friend, borne by several Anglo-Saxon figures
2. A masculine personal name of Anglo-Saxon origin, formed from words meaning dear and friend
3. A male first name from Old English times, carried by nobles such as an Anglo-Saxon earl of Essex

Etymology: Leofwine is an Old English personal name built from two elements: "leof", meaning "dear" or "beloved", and "wine", meaning "friend". Names of this type were common among the Anglo-Saxons, and many were formed by pairing such elements in different combinations, so a name like this one would have been chosen as a hopeful, affectionate wish for a child. The name is best known through Leofwine Godwinson, a son of Earl Godwin of Wessex and brother of King Harold II. He was killed fighting alongside his brother at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and the name survived in England for a while after the Conquest before fading from common use.