#10 Unique Elf Surnames with Meanings | Dungeons and Dragons

When you're rolling up an Elf character in your Dungeons and Dragons game, finding the perfect last name can be a challenge! Here are ten name ideas for your next character - with their meaning in Elvish!

Lyath-tel - "belonging to a temple"

This name comes in two parts "tel" and "lyath".

The form "tel" can be seen in several places in Elvish, such as when talking about a group of people (e.g. ór-tel-quessir, "people of the
wood").  

"Lyath" is the Elvish word for temple. 

This name is perfect for an Acolyte character. 

vantur Ravanor - "from the Forestland"

The first part of this name simply means "from". It is commonly used at the beginning of surnames derived from a place of origin. 

Ravanor is a pretty generic place name, especially if your character is a Wood Elf. 

tyr Vomira - "born to Vomira"

This is a matronymic name, that means it's dervived from your character's mother's name. Many cultures use matronymic or patronymics rather than set last names. For example, in Iceland you are known by your father's name. 

In the case of this character, their mother's name was Vomira. 

shan-Stakiaren - "branch of the House of the Beloved Star"

The Elves have many words for the heavenly bodies, each with their own implication. "Stakia" or "Stacia" can variously mean:  star, treasure, trove, gem, gold, blaze; sweetheart, beloved. 

The translation here is something like "Beloved Star" or "Treasured Ones".

The prefix, shan, is an Elven word that literally means "branch (of a tree)".however when used in names it refers to a member of a family (the branch of a family tree). 

The final element "ren" is the Elvish word for House or Clan.

This is a great name for an Elf with Noble Background. 

Gisirie - "of the guardians"

This is a great name for an elf who comes from a family with the Knight background. Or perhaps their kin are paladins. 

The Elvish word "Gisir (plu. Gisiae) means "guardian".

The name takes the rare sociative case, which means something like "with, in the company of". This is often used in situations of adoption, fostering, or even the foundation of a particular order. 

The family as a whole would be known by the plural form: Gisieii.

Maedran - "wind speaker"

Combining the words "mae" wind and "dran" speaker, this name could refer to a profession or be a nickname. If it's a nickname it could be something noble - or refer to the fact your character doesn't shut up!


Regardless, this is a great surname for a Bard character.

Amnesha - "tree friend"

The tree this name refers to is specifically an oak tree (amne). The suffix -sha, means "friend".

This is another great name for a Druid character.

Anogwinn - "moon guide"

The first part of this name is one of the Elvish words for moon. The second part means guide and comes from the Elvish word "gwin" meaning walkway, path. A gwinn is a pathmaker or a guide.


This is ideal for a High Elf character since they like to associate themselves with celestial objects.

Daanethun - "bright struggle follower"

Another translation for this surname could probably be "daredevil". The elves have the concept that some struggles make a person stronger while others only serve to harm. "Daan" (plural: daana) is the positive type, called "bright struggles".

Those who are followers of bright struggles look for adventure in all aspects of their life.

Artarhin - "dawn scholar"

"Artar" is the Elvish word for dawn. It means "new sun", though it can also translate to "new heights".


The second element is even more ambigious, as it has no true English equivalent. It can mean: collector, scholar, researcher. Or more broadly, a person who recieves something, usually an idea. The word can also be translated as "a welcome".
So while the name is translated as "dawn scholar" above, it could also mean "scholar of new heights" or "welcome to the dawn".


This name would be ideal for a High Elf character.

Cormyr Nobles: House Marliir

Cormyr Nobles: House Marliir

Zabrynn Lander ·

House Marliir originally hails from Marsember. They were a noble family of the city in the year 900 DR, when they fought for Cormyr against the Witch Lords. Fast forward a few hundred years, Rhodes Marliir was a minor member of the fallen house in 1227 DR, when the city was reconquered by King Dhalmass. He left for Arabel and became the founder of the house in that city. 

Rhodes Marliir, founder of House Marliir in Arabel. 

Jolithan Marliir, he was the head of the family in 1352 DR. Despite the Arabellan rebellion, he stayed loyal to the crown. He risked the lives of his two daughters to get intelligence to King Azoun. He was probably the grandson of Rhodes Marliir. 

Raynaar Marliir, the next head of the family by 1367 DR. He was a duke. Thus by this point, the family had surpassed the heights of the original Marsember branch of the Marliir family. And numbered among the most powerful nobles in Cormyr. Likely the son of Jolithan.

Raynaar has two canonical wives: Terese and Merelda. It is confirmed that Merelda is the mother of Dauneth, and its possible that Dardreth is also her child or the son from a previous marriage, i.e. Terese's child. 

Dardreth Marliir, the elder of two brothers, he was an unscrupulous, cold, and calculating man. He secretly desired to rule Arabel and cared little about who sat on the Dragon Throne. 

Dauneth Marliir, b. 1339 DR, the younger of two brothers, he was a warrior, loyal to the crown. As a youth, he was rumoured by courting Princess Tanalasta, the heir to the throne. Later, he was appointed to be Warden of the Eastern Marches by Azoun IV. He went onto marry Krystin Lhal, the sister of Royal Mage Ganrahast and daughter of the Lady Lord of Arabel. 

Nalara Marlirra, daughter of Dauneth, born after Dauneth's rejection by Princess Tanalasta in 1370 DR. She married King Azoun V, Tanalasta's son. 

The more recent members of House Marliir are unknown, however, despite Dauneth's success and loyalty to the crown, he was the younger brother and not set to inherit the Marliir duchy. 

Instead, Dardreth would likely become the next head of the family. So it's likely that the Marliir House were not nearly as loyal under his and his children's hand. Where the House stands in 1490s DR, is anyones guess. 

House Marliir

The home of the Marliirs. 

Rhodes Room, a ballroom famous for its opulence within the estate's manor. It is filled with many renowned treasures. Gold-leafed capitals decorate the room's marble columns.   

 

Playing a campaign in Cormyr? Check out this handpainted map (printable!)

 

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 Setting Supplement Cormyr

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