The Encyclopedia of Arda - an interactive guide to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien
Dates
Race
Culture
Family
Settlements
The folkland of the Bolgers was around Budgeford in the Shire's Eastfarthing
Pronunciation
Fastolph is pronounced 'fa'stolf'
Meaning
Fastolph perhaps means 'strong wolf'1

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About this entry:

  • Updated 23 December 2023
  • Updates planned: 1

Fastolph Bolger

A great-uncle of Bilbo Baggins

Rudolph
Bolger

Cora
Goodbody

Fastolph
Bolger

Pansy
Baggins
Various
descendants

Fastolph was one of the earliest of numerous Bolgers to marry into the Baggins family. He married Pansy Baggins, the sister of Bilbo's grandfather Mungo, and so became his great-uncle.


Notes

1

At least, the name Fastolph ultimately derives from Old Norse Fastulfr, 'fast wolf'. This connects Fastolph's name with that of his father Rudolph, which derives from Old Norse Hrodulf, 'fame wolf'. As a real family name, Fastolph has various spellings, such Fastolfe or Fastolf. A notable member of this family was Sir Jon Fastolf, commonly claimed to be the inspiration for Shakespeare's character of Sir John Falstaff. Falstaff had a companion named Bardolph, which is also Old Norse, with the meaning 'axe wolf'. The connection is telling, and seems to suggest that Tolkien may have had this source in mind when he named Fastolph Bolger.

Indexes:

About this entry:

  • Updated 23 December 2023
  • Updates planned: 1

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