Where does “län” come from?

län (Swedish) comes from Old Swedish län, from Middle Low German lēn, from Old Norse lén, from Middle Low German lehen, from Proto-Germanic laihną, from Proto-Indo-European leykʷ- — to leave.

län (Swedish): fief, fiefdom; a county, a political subdivision...

Definitions

  1. fief, fiefdom; a county, a political subdivision...

Ancestry of “län”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Swedishlän
2Middle Low Germanlēn
3Old Norselénfief, fee; royal grant or emoulement; royal...
4Middle Low Germanlehen
5Proto-Germaniclaihnąthat which is lent, loan; fief
6Proto-Indo-Europeanleykʷ-to leave

Words derived from “län

Every word from Proto-Indo-European leykʷ-Every word from Proto-Germanic laihnąEvery word from Middle Low German lehen