Ælfgar is an Anglo-Saxon masculine personal name, composed of the Old English elements ælf (elf) and gar (spear), thus meaning "elf spear." It is the Old English form of the name Algar, which shares the same etymological components. This name was part of a broader onomastic tradition in Anglo-Saxon England, where compound names formed from elements like ælf, gar, and wulf were common.EtymologyThe name derives from Proto-Germanic roots, with ælf referring to supernatural beings in Germanic mythology and folklore, and gar meaning a spear or javelin. The combination suggests a warrior blessed by or associated with elves, a concept that appears across Germanic naming traditions.Notable BearersSeveral notable Anglo-Saxon figures bore this name, including bishops, earls, and a local saint:Ælfgar of Lichfield (died c. 947), Bishop of Lichfield, a religious figure in the 10th century.Ælfgar of Elmham (died 1021), Bishop of Elmham, who served in East Anglia during a turbulent period before the Norman Conquest.Ælfgar, Earl of Mercia (1030–1062), the most prominent bearer, an Anglo-Saxon nobleman who held the influential earldom of Mercia mid-11th century.Ælfgar of Selwood, an obscure local saint venerated in Somerset (medieval Latin sanctus Ælfgar).Historical ContextThe name Ælfgar, like many traditional Old English names, declined in use after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was gradually absorbed by similar-sounding names or replaced by Norman and Scandinavian cognates, such as Algar (via Old Norse Álfgeirr) or Alger. However, it saw a brief revival in the 19th century, particularly during the Victorian period’s interest in medievalism and the reclaiming of Anglo-Saxon heritage.Related NamesÆlfgar belongs to a clan of names sharing the element ælf, such as the feminine Ælfgifu ("elf gift") and Wulfgar ("wolf spear"), reflecting the Germanic naming pattern of combining a creature with a weapon or abstract concept.Key FactsMeaning: “Elf spear” (Old English ælf + gar)Origin: Old English (Anglo-Saxon)Usage: Anglo-Saxon England, primarily medievalVariants: Algar, Alger, Elgar