Faroe
/ˈfɛə.roʊ/noun
A North Atlantic archipelago between Iceland and Scotland, part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Did you know?The name is traditionally linked to Old Norse *Færeyjar*, often explained as meaning “Sheep Islands,” a reminder that place-names can preserve the practical survival logic of medieval settlers.
Etymological Timeline
Old Norse
ON
Færeyjar
“The Faroe Islands; traditionally interpreted as “sheep islands.””
Old Norse
ON
fær
“Sheep”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Farei
“Latinized forms used by medieval writers for the islands”
16th Century
English
Faroe
“English name for the islands, adopted from Scandinavian usage”
Modern English
English
Faroe
“The Faroe Islands”