This list shows the family [1] names of Halflings mentioned throughout the works of Tolkien. It features all names regardless of how frequently they appear in his works. There are names recorded because of a member.
Names
A
No record.
B
Baggins: Large halfling family with lots of wealth; they were based in the Shire's Bag End area, and they got the name from the family head's residence there. In Westron, the word Labingi represents Baggins. The two most influential ring bearers were members of the Baggins.
Banks: These Halflings populate both Bree and Shire. The name probably referred to Halflings settled along river banks. Pippin's mother, Eglantine Banks was a member of this household.
Boffin: The name was derived from “Bophin” (which has unknown meaning). This line of Halflings lived in Yale; they lived Overhill and around Hobbiton. They also have a close relation to the Baggins and Tooks.
Bolger: A family with a long history and wealth. The members of the household have Fallohide origin, and they lived in Budgeford. The name may have an origin as a nickname to taunt the members of the household for their bulged belly and chubby looks.
Bracegirdle: A populous halfling line based in Hardbottle and other areas of the Shire. Bracegirdle was the household of Otho Sackville-Baggins' famous consort, Lobelia Bracegirdle.
Brandybuck: An influential Fallohide line that was established in Buckland and largely settled there. [2] In westron, the name is Brandagamba, which means “borderland young man”.
Brockhouse: This Halfling family resided in Bree and the Shire. Brockhouse means badger house and is related to Halflings having badger-like homes.
Brown: Workers in the Shire.
Brownlock: Family of Halflings in the Shire that may have brown hair.
Bunce: Halflings that settled in Michel Delving area of Shire.
Burrowes: An alternative way that Tolkien spelled “Burrows”. There was not much said about its members; a member placed Bag End on auction along with Messrs and some other members of the Grubb household. Milo Burrows, a member of the household, was Peony Baggins' consort and father of her four offsprings.
C
Chubb: Tolkien may have chosen the name to show that they were a rich family of chubby people. The actual meaning in English is for a kind of river fish.
Chubb-Baggins: A branch of the Baggins family. A form of a collateral branch.
Clayhanger: A family of Halflings in the Shire. There were not many mentions of this household in Tolkien’s works.
Cotton: A family of Halflings of the Shire that settled in Bywater, the small town. In Westron, the name is Hlothran.
D
Diggle: The name has no mention other than in the family tree for the Bolger household.
F
Fairbairn: This name is used to refer to Elanor Gardner’s descendants. The name translates to fair-born, which indicates the beauty of members of the household. In Tolkien's works, beauty is usually attached to fairness and blond hair.
Fallohide: A breed from the breeds of Halflings, with Stoors and Harfoots. The name indicated they were pale-skinned Halflings that lived in the northern part of Endor. Fallohides were the most accommodating of other beings, so they excelled the rest in the knowledge of lore and speech. They were usually taller than other breeds of halflings.
G
Gamgee: The Ropers’ family. The name had many transitions over the years. It was originally Gamwich, then it changed to Gammidge, and then Gamgee. The name was finally changed to Gardner by Samwise Gamgee. In Westron, it was Galbasi and changed to Galpsi.
Gammidge: One of the ancestral names of the Gardner family.
Gamwich: One of the ancestral names of the Gammidge family that turned to Gardner. In Westron, it was Galbasi.
Gardner: The name adopted by Samwise Gamgee. It referred to his early occupation as a gardener. He passed down the name to his descendants. The name was changed to Gardner of the Hill.
Gawkroger: Alternate spelling for Gaukroger, it means “clumsy roger”. It was the ancestral name for the name, Goodbody.
Goldworthy: Hanna Brandybuck’s maiden name.
Goodchild: Bell Gamgee’s maiden name. [3]
Goodenough: It appeared on the Boffin family tree, which was not published.
Goold: Menegilda Brandybuck’s maiden name.
Greenhand: A family of gardeners that lived in Hobbiton. They have relations with Gamgees.
Grubb: Halflings of the Shire. The name is related to the verb 'grub', meaning to dig or root around.
H
Hansen: It was originally linked to Halflings with nobility and wealth. It was later used for Halflings that were shorter than normal Halflings.
Harfoot: Also a breed like the Fallohides. The name referred to Halflings with hairy feet. They were the smallest breed of Halflings. Their earliest settlements were at the foothills of Hithaeglir, in the valley of Anduin.
Hayward: Halflings that worked as guards for fences to ensure the safety of cattle. The name also referred to Halflings that guard the farm harvests. They were Halflings of East Farthing.
Headstrong: Malva Brandybuck’s maiden name.
Hogg: The name only appeared in Perry-the-Winkle’s poem as Old farmer Hogg.
Hornblower: These were Halflings from the Southfarthing. Like Tobold Hornblower, they deal in pipeweed.
L
Labingi: Baggins’ Westron form.
Lightfoot: Appeared on the family tree of the Bolger family.
Longholes: Name referred to Halflings’ homes.
M
Maggot: The name is related to larvae, and does not have meaning.
Mugwort: Bree Halflings, this is the name of a plant.
N
Noakes: Working-class Halflings of Shire
North-tooks: Bandobras Took descendants. The family lived in Long Cleeve.
O
Oldbuck: Bucca’s descendants. The name was later changed to Brandybuck after they crossed Brandywine.
P
Pott: Appeared in Perry-the-Winkle’s poem as Old Pott, Michel Delving’s mayor.
Proudfoot: also Proudfeet; Shire Halflings that are known for having large feet.
Puddifoot: Halflings that lived in marshy areas.
R
Roper: The makers of family rope.
Rumble: Hobbiton’s working-class Halflings that also lived in the Shire.
S
Sackville: A rich family of Halflings.
Sackville-Baggins: The name that Longo Baggins and Camelia Sackville created after their marriage. The name did not live long after the death of their only grandson.
Sandheaver: Bree Halflings that also lived in the Shire. The name is related to Halflings that do construction works.
Sandyman: Shire’s laborer that was in charge of Hobbiton mill.
Smallburrow: Shire laborers. This name referred to the size of their home, small burrows.
T
Took: An influential Halfling family that ruled as Thain for generations. They were the most daring of those of Fallohide origin. Their adventurous nature made them a target for disrespect among the Halflings of the Shire.
Tûk: Took’s Westron form
Tunnelly: Bree Halflings that also live in the Shire. It refers to Halflings involved in tunneling.
Two-foot: Shire Halflings.
U
Underhill: Halflings of the Shire and Bree. The Halflings below Hobbiton hill.
W
Whitefoot: An influential family. Will Whitfoot, a member of the family that ruled the shire during War of the Ring.
Z
Zaragamba: Oldbuck in Westron.
Double names are common for influential halfling families for the preservation of lineage, especially when heads of families give their eldest daughters in marriage.
