A noble or highborn person in Anglo-Saxon England, especially a prince or member of the royal family eligible to become king.
From Old English æðeling or atheling, from æðel (noble) + -ing (one who is). The word literally means 'one of noble birth' and was used for royal heirs and prominent nobles.
The most famous etheling was probably Alfred the Great, who earned his title through both royal birth and wisdom, and the word reminds us that in medieval times, your family name quite literally determined your social position from birth.
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