Surt
/sɜːrt/noun
A fire giant and ruler of Muspelheim in Norse mythology, destined to bring destruction at Ragnarök.
Did you know?In the Prose Edda, Surt’s fiery assault at Ragnarök helps consume the world, after which a renewed world emerges from the ruins.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*swordo-
“Dark-colored, dirty, or dusky”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*swarþaz
“Black, swarthy, or dark”
Old Norse
Old Norse
Surtr
“The Black or Swarthy One; a fiery being”
13th Century
Old Norse
Surtr
“The fire giant who guards or rules the realm of Muspelheim”
19th Century
English
Surt
“An English rendering of the Norse mythological name”
Modern English
English
Surt
“The fire giant associated with Ragnarök and the destruction of the old world”