Ortwin

Ortwin is an Old German masculine given name derived from the elements ort ("point of a weapon") and wini ("friend"), thus meaning "pointed friend" or "sword-friend". The name belongs to the Germanic onomastic tradition that compounds martial and personal qualities.

Ortwin appears as a character in the medieval German epic poem Kudrun (or Gudrun), composed around the 13th century. In this work, Ortwin is the brother of the heroine Gudrun (known in Norse tradition as Guðrún). The Kudrun epic, distinct from the Norse Völsung cycle, centers on Gudrun's wedding to Herwig and later her captivity, with Ortwin playing a supporting role in the narrative.

Historical Bearer

The best-known historical bearer is Ortwin von Grätz (Latin: Ortuinus Gratius; 1475–1542), a German humanist scholar and theologian. Born in Holtwick, Westphalia, he studied at the University of Cologne and became an Art Professor in 1507. Ortwin was a follower of the humanist movement but also sided with traditionalists at the University of Cologne, engaging in controversies over the study of classical literature. He worked for the Quentell printing house in Cologne, composing introductions for editions of medieval authors. His letters and defenses of astrology by Julius Firmicus Maternus show his breadth of interest, though he remains a lesser-known figure of the Northern Renaissance.

Notable Bearers

• Ortwin (legendary) – brother of Gudrun in the epic Kudrun.
• Ortwin von Grätz (15th–16th centuries) – German humanist and theologian.