Geat
/ɡiːt/noun
A member of an ancient Germanic people from southern Sweden, especially those associated with the hero Beowulf.
Did you know?The Geats appear prominently in *Beowulf*, while their name is often connected—though not with complete certainty—to Proto-Germanic *gautōz and the Odin-name Gautr.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
Proto-Germanic
*Gautōz
“A reconstructed ethnonym, probably referring to the Geats or a closely related Germanic people.”
Ancient Germanic period
Proto-Germanic
*geutaną
““To pour” or “to pour out”; this verb is a proposed connection for the Geat name, not a certain derivation.”
8th–11th Century
Old English
Gēatas
“The Geats, the people whose king Hygelac and hero Beowulf appear in Old English epic tradition.”
9th–13th Century
Old Norse
Gautar
“The Geats; the related Scandinavian ethnonym used in Norse historical and legendary texts.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
Gauti
“A Latinized name for the Geats in medieval historical writing.”
Modern English
English
Geat
“A member of the ancient Geatish people of southern Scandinavia.”