Tinfang Gelion
From Tolkien Gateway
Tinfang Gelion is mentioned in the Lay of Leithian as being one of the greatest of the minstrels of the Elves, beside Maglor and next to Daeron.[1]
- "Tinfang Gelion who still the moon
enchants on summer nights of June
and kindles the pale firstling star..." - ― Lay of Leithian Canto III
Etymology
The meaning of Tinfang is "star-beard" (from tinu "spark, little star" + fang "beard"; found in The Etymologies of The Lost Road). He apparently was one of those few elves who grew beards during the first age of their life, like Mahtan.
Gelion can also be found in several other compounds.
Inspiration
His name probably comes from an earlier poem Tolkien penned named Tinfang Warble, about a fairy-bird.
