Þórðrs

Þórðrs is a form found in Old Norse and Icelandic manuscripts that represents the genitive or possessive of the masculine given name Þórðr. In translation, it functions as “Þórðr’s” or “of Þórðr,” and it can appear in genealogical records, property descriptions, or narrative passages where a personal name is possessed or associated with something.

Etymology and form are straightforward within the Old Norse naming system. The base name Þórðr is a typical Germanic personal name, and the genitive/possessive is formed by adding a suffix that yields Þórðrs in the manuscript orthography. Spelling and pronunciation could vary with scribal conventions and dialectal practice, allowing forms such as Þórðar in some contexts.

Usage notes emphasize that Þórðrs is a linguistic tool rather than a modern surname. It often appears in contexts indicating belonging or association, for example in lists of lands, feudal holdings, or kinship references where the property or title is linked to a person named Þórðr. The exact interpretation depends on the surrounding text and the manuscript’s date and dialect.

Relation to broader naming practices is important: the attachment of -s to a personal name to signal possession is a common feature in Old Norse and Icelandic, producing forms like Þórðrs alongside other examples such as names ending in -s or -ar in possessive use.

See also: Old Norse grammar, Icelandic name formation, genitive case in Old Norse. For detailed attestation and paleographic variation, consult standard grammars and editions of medieval Norse texts.