Merovingian

Meanings

1. Of or relating to the Merovings, the members of a Salian Frankish dynasty, descended from Merovech, that came to rule the Franks in a region (known as Francia in Latin) largely corresponding to ancient Gaul from the middle of the 5th century, and whose politics involved frequent civil warfare among branches of the family.

1. A member of the Merovingian dynasty.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-West Germanic *mārī Proto-West Germanic *wīg Proto-West Germanic *Mārīwīg Proto-Indo-European *-n̥kʷo-der.? Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Germanic *-īnaz Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Germanic *-gaz ? Proto-Germanic *-ingaz Proto-West Germanic *-ing Medieval Latin Merovingī Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Italic *-nos Latin -nus Latin -ānus Latin -iānus Old French -ien Middle French -ien Middle French Merovingienbor. English Merovingian From Middle French Merovingien (“of or relating to the Merovings, the descendants of Merovech”), from Medieval Latin Merovingī (“Merovings”) [plural of Merovingus, ultimately from Proto-West Germanic *Mārīwīg (a male given name composed of *mārī (“famous”) + *wīg (“fight”)) + *-ing] + Middle French -ien. (See Meroving for more.) By surface analysis, Meroving + -ian.