Where does “thain” come from?

thain (Finnish) comes from Middle English theyn, from Old English þeġn, from Proto-West Germanic þegn, from Proto-Germanic þegnaz, from Proto-Indo-European teḱ- — to sire, beget.

thain (Finnish): Genitive singular form of thai

Definitions

  1. Genitive singular form of thai

Ancestry of “thain”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Middle EnglishtheynA thane; a noble, especially of minor or lesser status
2Old Englishþeġnservant
3Proto-West Germanicþegnretainer, follower, servant
4Proto-Germanicþegnazretainer, servant
5Proto-Indo-Europeanteḱ-to sire, beget
Every word from Proto-Indo-European teḱ- →Every word from Proto-Germanic þegnaz →Every word from Proto-West Germanic þegn →