Walewein
/ˈʋaːləʋɛin/noun
The Dutch name for Sir Gawain, King Arthur’s nephew and one of the Knights of the Round Table.
Did you know?Walewein is the central hero of the Middle Dutch romance Roman van Walewein, where he undertakes a magical quest for a floating chessboard and confronts supernatural forces.
Etymological Timeline
Early Medieval Welsh
Welsh
Gwalchmei
“A traditional Welsh form associated with the later Arthurian character; often interpreted as involving gwalch, “hawk,” and mei, “May,” though the full etymology is disputed.”
12th Century
Latin
Gualguanus
“A Latinized form used for the Arthurian knight in medieval chronicles.”
12th–13th Century
Old French
Gau(u)vain / Walwain
“Old French and Anglo-Norman forms of the knight’s name, transmitted through Arthurian romances.”
13th Century
Middle Dutch
Walewein
“The Dutch literary form of the name, used in Arthurian romance.”
Modern English
English
Gawain
“The standard English form of the Arthurian knight’s name.”