áttu

ættu is a term found in Old Norse and Icelandic contexts related to lineage, kinship, and ancestry. The core concept is retained in the modern Icelandic word ætt, which denotes a family line or descent. In medieval and early modern texts, discussions of ættu and related forms appear in genealogies, sagas, and legal documents, where a person’s place within a particular lineage could influence social status, inheritance, and political alliances. Genealogical knowledge was often compiled to establish rights to property, leadership, or marriage alliances between families.

In the broader Norse and Icelandic cultural sphere, ættu and its associated ideas contributed to the importance of kin networks in shaping communal and family identity. Lineages were sometimes traced across generations to demonstrate noble lineage or to justify claims to land or privilege. This genealogical emphasis is reflected in several surviving historical works and saga literature that begin with or incorporate extensive kinship lists.

In modern Icelandic, the concept endures in discussions of ancestry and family history, though contemporary naming practices rely primarily on patronymics or matronymics rather than fixed family surnames. The study of ættu falls within genealogy and family history, often under the broader category of ættfræði (genalogy and heredity) and Norse cultural studies. Related topics include kinship, clan structures, and the role of lineage in legal and social organization in medieval Scandinavian societies.