Gwalchafed
/ɡwalˈχaːvɛd/noun
A medieval Welsh Arthurian personal name, borne by Gwalchafed son of Gwyar, a warrior associated with King Arthur.
Did you know?Gwalchafed is one of the early Welsh counterparts of the Arthurian Gawain tradition, although its exact relationship to later forms such as Gwalchmei and Gawain remains debated.
Etymological Timeline
Early Medieval Welsh
Welsh
Gwalchafed
“A personal name recorded in Welsh Arthurian tradition; commonly analyzed as “hawk of summer.””
9th–11th Century
Welsh
gwalch
“Hawk or falcon; the first element of the name.”
9th–11th Century
Welsh
haf / afed
“Summer, reflected in the traditional interpretation of the second element.”
Middle Welsh
Welsh
Gwalchafed fab Gwyar
“Gwalchafed, son of Gwyar, one of Arthur’s warriors in medieval Welsh narrative.”
12th–14th Century
Arthurian tradition
Gwalchmei / Gawain
“Related Welsh and Anglo-Norman forms associated with the Arthurian knight later known in English as Gawain.”
Modern English
English
Gwalchafed
“A rare historical and literary proper name used in discussions of Welsh Arthurian legend.”