Hjörvarðrs

Hjörvarðrs is the genitive singular form of the Old Norse masculine given name Hjörvarðr, used in Icelandic and other Norse-language sources to indicate possession or association with the person named. The form is typically found in medieval texts, such as genealogies and saga passages, where a phrase would render “of Hjörvarðr.”

Etymology and form: The name is composed of elements common in Germanic onomastics. The suffix -varðr or its variant -varð denotes guardianship or watchfulness in several Norse personal names. The initial element Hjör- is less securely attested across sources, and the precise meaning of the full name is uncertain. As with many Old Norse names, the interpretation often mixes linguistic possibilities with martial or symbolic associations, and scholars disagree on a definitive reading.

Attestations: Hjörvarðr and its genitive Hjörvarðrs appear in medieval scriptoria and compiled genealogies, where the genitive form serves to identify inheritance, possession, or association with a person named Hjörvarðr. The contexts vary by manuscript, but the genitive is a standard feature of Old Norse naming practice.

Variants: Variants in orthography and transliteration reflect regional and manuscript differences. The base form may appear as Hjörvarðr, with other spellings such as Hjorvardr or Hjardarðr in different Icelandic or Norse renderings. Latinized forms used in scholarly editions, such as Hjorvardus, also appear in academic discussions of the name. The genitive Hjörvarðrs follows the same pattern across variants.

Modern usage: Today, Hjörvarðr and its genitive Hjörvarðrs are mainly of interest to scholars of Norse linguistics, onomastics, and history. The name is considered archaic in contemporary Icelandic and other Scandinavian languages.