Gwalchmei
/ˈɡwalχmɛi/noun
A legendary Welsh Arthurian hero whose name became associated with Sir Gawain.
Did you know?Gwalchmei is generally regarded as the Welsh source of Gawain, although medieval French romances reshaped the name and character into Gauvain and later Gawain.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Celtic
Celtic
*wālkos
“A reconstructed Celtic word associated with a hawk or falcon; the exact prehistory of Welsh gwalch remains debated.”
Medieval Welsh
Welsh
gwalch
“Hawk or falcon; also figuratively a bold or valorous person.”
11th–12th Century
Welsh
Gwalchmei
“A personal name traditionally analyzed as gwalch, “hawk,” plus Mei, “May.””
12th Century
Old French
Walgain / Gauvain
“French Arthurian forms of the Welsh hero’s name, appearing in romances about King Arthur’s court.”
14th Century
Middle English
Gawain
“The established English form of the Arthurian knight, especially prominent in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight.”
Modern English
English
Gwalchmei
“A learned or historical Welsh form referring to the figure more commonly known in English as Gawain.”