Saxon
/ˈsæksən/noun
A member of a Germanic people who settled in parts of Britain and continental Europe; also used historically for the English language and culture in some contexts.
Did you know?The name is traditionally connected to the Proto-Germanic *sahsą* meaning “knife” or “short sword,” so the ethnonym may have started as a brutal weapon-name before becoming a people-name.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*Sahsōz
“The Saxons, a Germanic people; likely “the knife-people” or “sword-people.””
Late Latin
Latin
Saxones
“The Saxons.”
Old English
OE
Seaxe
“The Saxons.”
Old French
OF
Saisne
“A Saxon.”
Modern English
English
Saxon
“A member of the Saxon people; also used in historical and cultural senses.”