Gamgee Family

Carl
Hobbit of the Shire. Carl was the son of Cottar. He was born in 2863. He had an older brother Cotman who was the grandfather of Farmer Tom Cotton.

Cotman
Great-grandfather of Rose Cotton Gamgee. Cotman was born in 2860. He was the son of Cottar and he had a younger brother Carl. Cotman's wife was named Rose. Their son Holman Cotton was the father of Farmer Tom Cotton who in turn was the father of Sam Gamgee's wife Rosie Cotton.

Names & Etymology:
The name Cotman means "cottager, cot-dweller." His name in the Hobbits' language was Hlothram.

Cottar
Ancestor of the Cotton family. Cottar was born in 2820. He had two sons named Cotman and Carl. His date of death is not known.

Names & Etymology:
Cottar is a Scottish term for a cottager, or a peasant farmer living in a cottage.

Bowman "Nick" Cotton
Brother of Rose Cotton Gamgee. Bowman Cotton was born in 2986. He was usually called Nick. He was the son of Farmer Tom Cotton and Lily Brown Cotton. Nick had three older siblings - Tom, Rose, and Wilcome (called Jolly) - and one younger brother Carl (called Nibs). The family lived on a farm in Bywater.

During the War of the Ring, the Shire was occupied by Men. On November 2, 3019, Sam Gamgee came to the Cotton farm to rally them to help expel the Men. Nick accompanied his father and brothers Tom and Jolly to the center of town where they drove off a band of about 20 Men. The next day on November 3, Nick fought in the Battle of Bywater in which the Men were defeated and driven from the Shire.

Names & Etymology:
Bowman Cotton was usually called Nick Cotton.

Carl "Nibs" Cotton
Brother of Rose Cotton Gamgee. Carl Cotton was born in 2989. His nickname was Nibs. He was the youngest child of Farmer Tom Cotton and Lily Brown Cotton. Nibs had four older siblings: Tom, Rose, Wilcome (called Jolly), and Bowman (called Nick). They lived on a farm in Bywater.

Nibs and his siblings were friends with Sam Gamgee. They sometimes swam together in Bywater Pool. When Sam Gamgee returned to the Cotton farm after the quest to Mount Doom, Nibs didn't recognize him at first and challenged him with a pitchfork. He had been charged with protecting his mother and sister from the Men who had occupied the Shire. The next day on November 3, 3019, Nibs and his brothers fought in the Battle of Bywater in which the Men were defeated and were driven from the Shire.

Holman Cotton
Grandfather of Rose Cotton Gamgee. Holman Cotton was born in 2902. His parents' names were Cotman and Rose. Holman Cotton lived in Bywater. He had two sons, Tolman and Wilcome.

Names & Etymology:
Holman Cotton was known as Long Hom. The name Holman may imply "hole dweller."

Holman Cotton was the first of the family to use the surname Cotton. The name Cotton comes from cot meaning "cottage, humble dwelling" and ton meaning "town." It appears to be derived from his father's name Cotman which means "cottage dweller."

Lily Cotton
Wife of Farmer Cotton. Lily Cotton was originally named Lily Brown. She married Farmer Tolman Cotton of Bywater and had five children: Tom, Rose, Wilcome, Bowman, and Carl. Their daughter Rose married Sam Gamgee.

Lily Cotton's birth and death dates are not recorded.

Names & Etymology:
Lily had a flower name like many Hobbit women.

Marigold Cotton
Sister of Sam Gamgee. Marigold Gamgee was born in 2983. She had golden hair indicative of the Fallohide strain of Hobbits. Marigold was the youngest child of Hamfast Gamgee and Bell Goodchild Gamgee. She had three older brothers - Hamson, Halfred, and Samwise - and two older sisters - Daisy and May. Sam was the sibling closest to Marigold in age. When he was crossing Mordor, Sam thought of Marigold and hoped he might see her again.

Marigold married Tom Cotton, brother of Rosie Cotton. Rosie was Marigold's friend from childhood, and she married Marigold's brother Sam.

Names & Etymology:
Marigold had a flower name like many Hobbit-lasses. Her name was chosen because of her golden hair.

Farmer Tolman Cotton

Farmer Cotton in the New Line film
Farmer CottonFarmer of Bywater; father of Rose Cotton Gamgee. Tolman Cotton was born in 2941. His nickame was Tom. His father was Holman Cotton of Bywater; his mother's name is not known. Tom had a younger brother Wilcome, called Will. Tom Cotton married Lily Brown and they had five children: Tolman (also called Tom), Rose, Wilcome (called Jolly), Bowman(called Nick), and Carl (called Nibs).

Tom Cotton was generally known as Farmer Cotton. He had a farm down the South Lane in Bywater. Farmer Cotton was considered a stout and sturdy fellow. He was a person of high standing in Bywater.

During the War of the Ring, Farmer Cotton wanted to oppose the Chief's Men who had taken over the Shire, but he was unable to convince enough Hobbits to rise against them. He protected his wife and daughter from the Men and he gave extra food to Gaffer Gamgee, father of Sam Gamgee.

On November 2, 3019, Sam came to Farmer Cotton's farm and told him that he had returned with Frodo Baggins, Merry Brandybuck, and Pippin Took and that they were rallying the Hobbits to drive out the Chief's Men. Farmer Cotton took his sons Tom, Jolly, and Nick into Bywater to join the fight. Farmer Cotton provided information on the numbers and strengths of the Men and explained what had been happening in the Shire over the past year. When a squad of 20 Men arrived in Bywater, Farmer Cotton stood alone in the street to confront them while the other Hobbits quietly surrounded them. The Men's leader was killed and the others surrendered.

The next day on November 3, Farmer Cotton and his sons fought in the Battle of Bywater, and the Chief's Men were defeated and driven out of the Shire for good. Afterwards, Farmer Cotton led an escort of two dozen Hobbits who accompanied Frodo to Bag End to confront the Chief.

Frodo and Sam stayed with Farmer Cotton while Bag End and Bagshot Row were being repaired. Farmer Cotton discovered Frodo lying ill and delirious in his bed on March 13, 3020 - the anniversary of Frodo's poisoning by Shelob.

The fame and fortune of the Cotton family rose considerably after the War of the Ring. Farmer Cotton's daughter Rosie married Sam Gamgee, who later became Mayor of Michel Delving and moved into Bag End. Farmer Cotton died in the year 19 of the Fourth Age.

Names & Etymology:
The name Cotton comes from cot meaning "cottage, humble dwelling" and ton meaning "town."


Tom Cotton
Brother of Rosie Cotton. Tolman Cotton was born in 2980. He was the oldest child of Farmer Tolman Cotton and Lily Brown Cotton. Tolman was named after his father and was called Tom for short. He had a younger sister Rosie and three younger brothers named Wilcome (called Jolly), Bowman (called Nick), and Carl (called Nibs).

Tom Cotton lived on his father's farm in Bywater. Tom and his siblings were friends with Sam Gamgee and they swam together in Bywater Pool.

During the War of the Ring, the Shire was occupied by Men in the service of Saruman. Tom and his brothers helped their father protect their farm and their mother and sister. On November 2, 3019, Sam Gamgee returned to the Shire and came to the Cotton's farm seeking their help to evict the Men. Tom, Jolly, Nick, and their father went to the center of town where many other Hobbits were assembling, and they drove off a squad of Men who came to confront them. The next day on November 3, Tom fought in the Battle of Bywater which ended in victory for the Hobbits.

After the war, the Cotton family became even more prosperous. Tom was married to Sam's sister Marigold, and Sam married Tom's sister Rosie. In the year 21 of the Fourth Age, Tom Cotton acted as Deputy Mayor while Mayor Sam Gamgee travelled to Gondor.

Names & Etymology:
Tom Cotton was sometimes called Young Tom to distinguish him from his father, for whom he was named. The name Cotton comes from cot meaning "cottage, humble dwelling" and ton meaning "town."

Wilcome "Jolly" Cotton
Brother of Rosie Cotton. Wilcome Cotton was born in 2984. His parents were Tom Cotton and Lily Brown Cotton. He had two older siblings - Tom and Rose - and two younger siblings - Bowman (called Nick) and Carl (called Nibs). Wilcome was usually called Jolly.

Jolly Cotton lived on the family farm in Bywater. He was friends with Sam Gamgee and they used to swim in Bywater Pool together. Sam later married Jolly's sister Rosie.

When the Shire was occupied by Men during the War of the Ring, Jolly helped defend the farm and keep his mother and sister safe. Sam returned to Bywater on November 2 and Jolly showed him where to find his father the Gaffer, who had been relocated from Bagshot Row. On November 3, Jolly fought in the Battle of Bywater in which the Hobbits defeated the Men and drove them out of the Shire.

Names & Etymology:
Wilcome was named after his father's brother. He was probably called Jolly because of his demeanor.

Wilcome "Will" Cotton
Brother of Farmer Tom Cotton. Will Cotton was born in 2946. He was the second son of Holman Cotton of Bywater. Farmer Cotton was his older brother.

Names & Etymology:
Wilcome Cotton was called Will for short.

Elanor the Fair

Daughter of Sam Gamgee. Elanor Gamgee was born on March 25, 3021, on the anniversary of the destruction of the One Ring and the downfall of Sauron. She was the eldest child of Sam and Rose Cotton Gamgee.

Sam asked the advice of Frodo Baggins in choosing a name for his daughter. It was Frodo who suggested that she be named after the golden flower elanor found in Lothlorien, thus following the Hobbit custom of naming girls after flowers while selecting a unique name that suited the beautiful, golden-haired child. In later years she came to be called Elanor the Fair. In appearance, some said she was more like an Elf-maid than a Hobbit.

Elanor became a maid of honor to Queen Arwen when the Queen and Aragorn, King Elessar, came to the North-kingdom in the year 15 of the Fourth Age. In the year 21, Elanor accompanied her parents to Gondor and stayed there for a year. Elanor married Fastred of Greenholm in 30. Fastred was made Warden of Westmarch in 34, and he and Elanor made their home at Undertowers on the Tower Hills in the Westmarch. Elanor and Fastred's descendants came to be known as the Fairbairns of the Towers. Their son Elfstan Fairbairn was born in 33. They also had a daughter named Firiel.

In September of 61, Sam Gamgee visited his daughter at Undertowers for the last time. He gave her the book chronicling the finding and the destruction of the One Ring that had been written by Bilbo and Frodo Baggins and finished by himself. That book came to be known as the Red Book of Westmarch and it was preserved by generations of Fairbairns. Elanor said goodbye to her father, who then went to the Grey Havens and passed over the Sea.

Names & Etymology:
Elanor was named after the golden flower of Lothlorien. The word elanor is composed of el meaning "star" and anor meaning "sun."

She may also have been called Elanor Gardner after her father, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring.


Erling
Hobbit of the Shire. Erling was born in 2854. He was the son of Holman the Greenhanded of Hobbiton. He had two older siblings - Rowan and Halfred Greenhand - and two younger siblings - Hending and Rose. Erling's date of death is not known.

Names & Etymology:
Erling is a Nordic name meaning "heir of the clan chief" or "prince."

Elfstan Fairbairn
Grandson of Samwise Gamgee. Elfstan Fairbairn was the son of Sam's daughter Elanor the Fair and Fastred of Greenholm. Elfstan had at least one sibling, a younger sister named Firiel. Elfstan was born in the year 33 of the Fourth Age. The next year the family moved to Undertowers in the Tower Hills in the Westmarch. They became known as the Fairbairns of the Towers and Fastred was named the Warden of Westmarch. This title remained in the Fairbairn family, so it is likely that Elfstan Fairbairn became the second Warden of Westmarch after his father's death.

Names & Etymology:
Elfstan means "Elfstone," the Common Speech equivalent of "Elessar." It seems likely that Elfstan was named in honor of Aragorn, King Elessar.

Fíriel Fairbairn
Granddaughter of Samwise Gamgee. Firiel Fairbairn was the daughter of Sam's daughter Elanor the Fair and Fastred of Greenholm. Firiel had at least one sibling, an older brother named Elfstan Fairbairn.

Names & Etymology:
Fíriel is from the Quenya meaning "mortal woman." Firiel Fairbairn may have been named for a character in a poem called "The Last Ship" found in the Red Book of Westmarch. The Firiel of the poem may have in turn been named for a princess of Gondor who was an ancestor of Aragorn.

Fastred of Greenholm
Husband of Elanor the Fair. Fastred was from Greenholm on the Far Downs. He married Sam Gamgee's daughter Elanor in the year 30 of the Fourth Age. Their children included a son named Elfstan, born in the year 33, and a daughter named Firiel. Aragorn, King Elessar, made the Westmarch from the Far Downs to the Tower Hills part of the Shire in the year 31, and in the year 34 Sam asked Thain Peregrin to make Fastred the Warden of Westmarch. Fastred's family moved to Undertowers in the Tower Hills and they came to be called the Fairbairns of the Towers.

Names & Etymology:
Fastred is from the Anglo Saxon fæstræd meaning "firmly resolved, steadfast."

Bell Gamgee
Mother of Sam Gamgee. Bell Goodchild married Hamfast Gamgee. They had six children: Hamson, Halfred, Daisy, May, Samwise, and Marigold. Bell appears to have died sometime before the War of the Ring.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Bilbo Gamgee
Son of Sam Gamgee. Bilbo Gamgee was born in the year 15 of the Fourth Age. He was the tenth child of Sam and Rose Cotton Gamgee. Bilbo had nine older siblings - Elanor, Frodo Gardner, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, and Primrose - and three younger siblings - Ruby, Robin, and Tolman.

Names & Etymology:
Bilbo was named after Bilbo Baggins.

He may also have been called Bilbo Gardner after his father, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Daisy Gamgee (I)
Sister of Sam Gamgee. Daisy was the eldest daughter of Hamfast and Bell Gamgee. She was born in 2972. Daisy had two older brothers - Hamson and Halfred - and three younger siblings - May, Samwise, and Marigold.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Daisy Gamgee (II)
Daughter of Sam Gamgee. Daisy Gamgee was born in the year 12 of the Fourth Age. She was the eighth child of Sam and Rose Cotton Gamgee. Daisy had seven older siblings - Elanor, Frodo Gardner, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, and Hamfast - and five younger siblings - Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, and Tolman.

Names & Etymology:
Daisy was probably named after her aunt, Sam's sister Daisy Gamgee. Like many Hobbit-lasses, she had a flower name.

She may also have been called Daisy Gardner after her father, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Frodo Gamgee
See Frodo Gardner.

Halfast Gamgee
Cousin of Sam Gamgee. Halfast was born in 2972. He was the son of Halfred, who was the brother of Sam's father Hamfast. Halfast worked for Mr. Boffin in Overhill, a town north of Hobbiton. Hal sometimes went to the Northfarthing to hunt, and once he thought he saw a Tree-man walking on the North Moors.

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "The Shadow of the Past," p. 53-54
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Halfred Gamgee
Older brother of Samwise Gamgee. Halfred Gamgee was born in 2969. His parents were Hamfast Gamgee and Bell Goodchild Gamgee. Halfred had an older brother Hamson and four younger siblings: Daisy, May, Sam, and Marigold. Halfred moved to the Northfarthing.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Halfred Gamgee of Overhill
Uncle of Samwise Gamgee. Halfred was born in 2932. He was the son of Hobson Gamgee. He had three older siblings: Andwise Roper, Hamfast (father of Sam), and May. Halfred lived in the village of Overhill north of Hobbiton. He had a son named Halfast.

Names & Etymology:
It's not clear whether Halfred used the surname Gamgee like his father and his brother Hamfast.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Hamfast "Gaffer" Gamgee

Norman Forsey as the Gaffer in the New Line film
Norman Forsey as the GafferFather of Samwise Gamgee. Hamfast Gamgee was born in 2926. His father Hobson was known as Roper Gamgee. But while Hamfast's older brother Andwise followed in their father's trade of rope-making, Ham took up with his cousin Holman Greenhand who was the gardener at Bag End for Bilbo Baggins.

Hamfast began working as Holman's apprentice when he was just a lad, and in 2942 he was enlisted to keep people from trespassing in the gardens of Bag End while Bilbo's possessions were being auctioned off. Bilbo had gone off on an adventure and was presumed dead, but to everyone's surprise he returned on June 22. Hamfast saw him ride up on a pony with some big bags and a couple of chests.

Hamfast worked with Holman for about 20 years, and then he was the head gardener at Bag End for 40 years after that. He was accounted a leading authority on root vegetables, particularly potatoes. Hamfast married Bell Goodchild and had six children: Hamson, Halfred, Daisy, May, Samwise, and Marigold. His son Samwise followed in his footsteps and became his apprentice.

Father and son lived at Number 3 Bagshot Row at the bottom of the Hill where Bag End was located. Sam had learned his letters from Bilbo and was fascinated by the old Hobbit's stories, which worried his father somewhat.

"Elves and Dragons! I says to him. Cabbages and potatoes are better for me and you. Don't go getting mixed up in the business of your betters, or you'll land in trouble too big for you, I says to him."
The Fellowship of the Ring: "A Long-Expected Party," p. 32

By the time of Bilbo's 111th birthday party in 3001, Ham's son Samwise had taken over most of the work. Hamfast, who was now mostly called the Gaffer, had become old and stiff in the joints. When Bilbo left Bag End, he gave the Gaffer some oinment for his joints, a woolen waistcoat, a new spade, and two sacks of potatoes.

When Frodo sold Bag End to Lobelia Sackville-Baggins in 3018, the Gaffer was quite unhappy, though he was pleased that Sam was going to work for Mr. Frodo Baggins at Crickhollow. On the night of Frodo and Sam's departure, the Gaffer was visited by Khamul, one of the Nazgul, who wanted to know where Baggins had gone. The Gaffer sent him on his way, though he did tell him that Frodo had gone to Buckland. Gandalf visited the Gaffer a week later and learned that Frodo had only recently left.

During the quest, Sam was frequently reminded of his Gaffer's sayings such as, "Where there's life, there's hope and need of vittles." (TTT, p. 309) In the Mirror of Galadriel, Sam saw a vision of the Gaffer being forced out of Bagshot Row. Sam resisted the temptation to go home and remained with Frodo to the end, but when the Hobbits returned to the Shire, Sam discovered that his father had indeed been evicted. Bagshot Row had been turned into a quarry and the Gaffer was living in one of the shacks put up by the ruffians who had taken over the Shire. Farmer Cotton had made sure that the Gaffer had enough to eat, so he was better off than some.

The Gaffer was reunited with his son. He scolded Frodo for selling Bag End and starting all the trouble in the Shire, and then wanted to know whether Sam had performed his job in a satisfactory manner. Frodo replied that Sam was now considered one of the heroes of Middle-earth, to his father's bemusement.

"It takes a lot o' believing," said the gaffer, "though I can see he's been mixing in strange company. What's come of his weskit? I don't hold with wearing ironmongery, whether it wears well or no."
The Return of the King: "The Scouring of the Shire," p. 294

When Bagshot Row was restored, the Gaffer moved back into Number 3. After Sam and Rosie moved to Bag End, the Gaffer was looked after by Widow Rumble. He lived to see his son Sam elected Mayor of Michel Delving. Hamfast died in the year 7 of the Fourth Age.

Names & Etymology:

Hamfast is from the Old English hámfoest meaning "stay-at-home."
Appendix F of The Lord of the Rings: "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age," p. 414

Gamgee is an English surname and also a name for "cotton-wool," named after an English surgeon who invented "Gamgee tissue." Tolkien remembered the name from his childhood near Birmingham and used it to relate the Gamgee family to the Cotton family. As a Hobbit name, Gamgee is derived from Gamwich, a village in the Shire where the family originated. The Hobbitish form of Gamwich is Galabas - meaning "game village" - rendered as Galbasi as a family name. Other forms of the family name include Gammidge, Gamwichy, and Gammidgy.
"Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings," p. 166
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters #72, #144, #184

Gaffer means "old man."

Gaffer Gamgee was the name given by Tolkien to an old man that he and his boys encountered while on holiday. The man was prone to gossiping and predicting the weather. The name became part of the family lore. (Letters, #257)

Ranugad Galbasi is the original Hobbit name of Hamfast Gamgee. (Appendix F, p. 414)

Genealogy:
For the family tree of Hamfast Gamgee, see Samwise Gamgee: Genealogy.

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "A Long-Expected Party," p. 30-32, 46; "The Mirror of Galadriel," 378
The Return of the King: "The Scouring of the Shire," p. 291-94; "The Grey Havens," p. 302, 304
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383
Appendix F of The Lord of the Rings: "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age," p. 414
"Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings," p. 166
Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters #72, #144, #184, #257

Hamfast Gamgee (II)
Son of Samwise Gamgee. Hamfast Gamgee born in the year 11 of the Fourth Age. He was the seventh child of Sam and Rose Cotton Gamgee. Hamfast had six older siblings - Elanor, Frodo, Rose, Pippin, and Goldilocks - and six younger siblings - Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, and Tolman.

Names & Etymology:
Hamfast was named after Sam's father, Hamfast Gamgee.

He may also have been called Hamfast Gardner after his father, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Hamson Gamgee
Oldest brother of Samwise Gamgee. Hamson Gamgee was born in 2965. His parents were Hamfast Gamgee and Bell Goodchild Gamgee. Hamson had five younger siblings: Halfred, Daisy, May, Samwise, and Marigold. Hamson joined his uncle Andwise Roper of Tighfield and became a rope-maker. His date of death is not known.

Names & Etymology:
The name Hamson indicates that he was the son of Hamfast.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Hobson Gamgee
Grandfather of Samwise Gamgee. Hobson Gamgee was born in 2885. He was the son of Hob Gammidge and Rowan Gammidge. Hobson took up the family trade of rope-making and became known as Roper Gamgee. Hobson Gamgee lived in Tighfield, where he had a rope-maker's yard called a rope-walk.

Hobson had four children: Andwise, Hamfast, May, and Halfred. Hobson's eldest son Andwise was a rope-maker too, but his second son Hamfast - father of Sam - became a gardener in Hobbiton. Hobson Gamgee died in 2984.

Names & Etymology:
The name Hobson indicates that he was the son of Hob. He was also called Roper Gamgee because he was a rope-maker. He was the first of the family to be known by the name Gamgee, which was derived from the town named Gamwich where the family originated.

Sources:
The Two Towers: "The Taming of Smeagol," p. 217
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #144

May Gamgee (I)
Aunt of Sam Gamgee. May Gamgee was born in 2928. She was the daughter of Hobson Gamgee. She had two older brothers - Andwise and Hamfast - and a younger brother - Halfred.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

May Gamgee (II)
Sister of Samwise Gamgee. May Gamgee was born in 2976. She was the daughter of Hamfast Gamgee and Bell Goodchild Gamgee. May had three older siblings - Hamson, Halfred, and Daisy - and two younger siblings - Sam and Marigold.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Merry Gamgee
Son of Samwise Gamgee. Merry Gamgee was born in the year 6 of the Fourth Age. He was the fourth child of Sam and Rose Cotton Gamgee. His older siblings were Elanor, Frodo, and Rose; his younger siblings were Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, and Tolman.

Names & Etymology:
Merry Gamgee was named after Sam's friend, Merry Brandybuck.

He may also have been called Merry Gardner after his father, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Pippin Gamgee
Son of Samwise Gamgee. Pippin Gamgee was born in the year 8 of the Fourth Age. He was the fifth child of Sam and Rose Cotton Gamgee. Pippin had four older siblings - Elanor, Frodo Gardner, Rose, and Merry - and eight younger siblings - Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, and Tolman.

Names & Etymology:
Pippin Gamgee was named after Pippin Took.

He may also have been called Pippin Gardner after his father, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Primrose Gamgee
Daughter of Samwise Gamgee. Primrose Gamgee was born in the year 14 of the Fourth Age. She was the ninth child of Sam and Rose Cotton Gamgee. Primrose's eight older siblings were Elanor, Frodo Gardner, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, and Daisy. She also had four younger siblings: Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, and Tolman.

Names & Etymology:
Primose had a flower name, like many female Hobbits.

She may also have been called Primrose Gardner after her father, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Robin Gamgee
Son of Samwise Gamgee. Robin Gamgee was born in the year 19 of the Fourth Age. He was the twelfth child of Sam and Rose Cotton Gamgee. Robin's eleven older siblings were Elanor, Frodo Gardner, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, and Ruby. Tolman, the youngest Gamgee, was born two years after Robin.

Names & Etymology:
He may also have been called Robin Gardner after his father, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Rose Cotton Gamgee

Sarah McLeod as Rosie in the New Line film
Sarah McLeod as RosieWife of Sam Gamgee. Rose Cotton was born in 2984 to Tolman Cotton and Lily Brown Cotton. She had four brothers: Tolman (called Tom), Wilcome (called Jolly), Bowman (called Nick), and Carl (called Nibs).

Rosie's father Farmer Cotton had a farm near Bywater down the South Lane. When they were younger, Rosie and her brothers would go swimming with Sam Gamgee in Bywater Pool. Her brother Tom married Sam's sister Marigold.

When Sam left the Shire without warning in September of 3018, most Hobbits thought he was dead. But on March 25, 3019, after the Ring was destroyed and Frodo and Sam were rescued, Rosie felt an inexplicable but certain knowledge that Sam was safe.

"I never hoped at all, Sam," she said, "not until that very day; and then suddenly I did. About noon it was, and I felt so glad that I began singing. And mother said: 'Quiet, lass! There's ruffians about.' And I said: 'Let them come! Their time will soon be over. Sam's coming back.' And you came."
The History of Middle-earth, vol. IX, Sauron Defeated: "Epilogue" (second version), p. 128

She expected Sam to return in the Spring, and she chided him for the delay when he finally returned in November of that year. One of Sam's primary concerns on his return was determining that Rosie was safe. She sent him off to deal with the ruffians but not without reassuring him first. Rosie was proud to hear of Sam's deeds on the quest.

When Sam proposed to Rosie, she saw no reason to wait, and they were married on May 1, 3020. They moved into Bag End at the invitation of Frodo. Rosie and Sam's first child was born the next year on March 25, the anniversary of the destruction of the Ring. They named her Elanor after the golden flowers of Lothlorien. Rose bore twelve more children: Frodo Gardner, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, and Tolman.

When Frodo left Middle-earth in September of 3021, he gave Bag End to Sam and Rosie and their descendants. They lived there peacefully and prosperously for many years. Sam was elected Mayor of Michel Delving and served seven seven-year terms. In the year 21 of the Fourth Age, Rosie accompanied Sam and Elanor to Gondor and stayed there for a year.

On Mid-year's Day in the year 61, Rosie died. Sam then followed Frodo to the Grey Havens and passed over the Sea.

Names & Etymology:
She may also have taken the name Rose Gardner after her husband, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring.

Sources:
The Return of the King: "Mount Doom," p. 211; "The Scouring of the Shire," p. 287-88, 294; "The Grey Havens," p. 304-6
Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 377-78;
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Cotton genealogy, p. 383
The History of Middle-earth, vol. IX, Sauron Defeated: Epilogue (second version), p. 128



Rose Gamgee (II)
Daughter of Sam Gamgee. Rose Gamgee was born in the year 4 of the Fourth Age. She was named after her mother, Rose Cotton Gamgee. Rose had two older siblings - Elanor and Frodo- and ten younger siblings - Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, and Tolman.

Names & Etymology:
She may also have been called Rose Gardner after her father, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Ruby Gamgee
Daughter of Samwise Gamgee. Ruby was born in the year 17 of the Fourth Age. She was the eleventh child of Sam and Rose Cotton Gamgee. Her ten older siblings were Elanor, Frodo, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, and Bilbo. She also had two younger brothers - Robin and Tolman.

Names & Etymology:
She may also have been called Ruby Gardner after her father, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring. Ruby was named for a jewel as was common among female Hobbits.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Samwise Gamgee
See the full-page entry for Samwise Gamgee.

Tolman Gamgee
Son of Sam Gamgee. Tolman Gamgee, called Tom, was the youngest child of Sam and Rose Cotton Gamgee. He had 12 older siblings: Elanor, Frodo, Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, and Robin. Tom Gamgee was born in the year 21 of the Fourth Age, which was the same year that Sam and Rosie visited Gondor. It is not known whether Tom was born before, during, or after this trip.

Names & Etymology:
Tolman Gamgee was named after his grandfather, Tolman Cotton.

He may also have been called Tolman Gardner after his father, who became known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Hob Gammidge
Great-grandfather of Sam Gamgee. Hob Gammidge was born in 2846. He was the son of Wiseman Gamwich. They lived in the village of Tighfield. Hob Gammidge was a rope-maker. He and his wife Rowan had a son named Hobson, born in 2885.

Names & Etymology:
Hob Gammidge was called the Roper and Old Gammidgy. His surname Gammidge is a variation of his father's surname Gamwich, which was the name of the town where Wiseman Gamwich lived before moving to Tighfield. In the next generation, Hob Gammidge's son Hobson used the surname Gamgee.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Rowan Gammidge
Great-grandmother of Sam Gamgee. Rowan was born in 2849. She was the eldest child of Holman the Greenhanded of Hobbiton. Rowan had four younger siblings: Halfred Greenhand, Erling, Hending, and Rose. Rowan married Hob Gammidge, who was a rope-maker in Tighfield. They had a son named Hobson in 2885.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Hamfast of Gamwich
Ancestor of the Gamgee family. Hamfast of Gamwich was born in 2760. He lived in the town of Gamwich in the Shire. The village was noted for its rope-makers, though it is not known whether that was Hamfast's profession. Hamfast had a son named Wiseman Gamwich, born in 2800, who later moved to nearby Tighfield.

Hamfast of Gamwich's date of death is not known.

Names & Etymology:
Hamfast is from the Old English hámfoest meaning "stay-at-home."

Gamwich was from the Hobbit name Galabas meaning "game village" from the Hobbitish galab meaning "game" and bas, the equivalent of the Old English wick or wich meaning "village." This name later became the surname Gamgee.

Sources:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383
Appendix F of The Lord of the Rings: "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age," p. 414, 416
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #144

Wiseman Gamwich
Great-great-grandfather of Samwise Gamgee. Wiseman Gamwich was born in 2800. He was the son of Hamfast of Gamwich. Wiseman moved from the village of Gamwich to the nearby village of Tighfield. He had a son named Hob Gammidge, born in 2846. Wiseman Gamwich's date of death is not known.

Names & Etymology:
Wiseman's first name appears to echo the name Samwise, or "half wise." His surname is the name of his village of origin. Gamwich was from the Hobbit name Galabas meaning "game village" from the Hobbitish galab meaning "game" and bas, the equivalent of the Old English wick or wich meaning "village."

Sources:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383
Appendix F of The Lord of the Rings: "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age," p. 416
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #144

Frodo Gardner
Son of Sam Gamgee. Frodo Gamgee, born in the year 2 of the Fourth Age, was the second child and eldest son of Sam and Rose Cotton Gamgee. He had an older sister Elanor and eleven younger siblings: Rose, Merry, Pippin, Goldilocks, Hamfast, Daisy, Primrose, Bilbo, Ruby, Robin, and Tolman.

Sam Gamgee came to be known as Sam Gardner because of his skill at gardening and his role in replanting the Shire after the War of the Ring. His son Frodo took Gardner as his family name.

Frodo Gardner probably inherited Bag End after his father left Middle-earth in the year 61. From Frodo were descended the Gardners of the Hill including his son Holfast Gardner, born in 41 F.A., and his grandson Harding of the Hill.

Sources:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Introduction, p. 379, and Gamgee genealogy p. 383


Harding Gardner
Great-grandson of Sam Gamgee. Harding Gardner was born in the year 80 of the Fourth Age. His father was Holfast Gardner, whose father was Sam's son Frodo Gardner.

Names & Etymology:
Also called Harding of the Hill because he lived on the Hill in Hobbiton. It seems likely that Bag End was passed down to Harding through Holfast from Sam's eldest son Frodo.

The name Harding means "son of the bold one" from the Old English heard meaning "bold, hardy" and the ending -ing denoting "son of."

Sources:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383
Old English Made Easy

Holfast Gardner
Grandson of Sam Gamgee. Holfast Gardner was the son of Sam's son Frodo Gardner. He was born in the year 41 of the Fourth Age. Holfast had a son named Harding of the Hill, born in the year 80.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Halfred Greenhand
Gardener in Hobbiton. Halfred Greenhand was born in 2851. He was the son of Holman the Greenhanded. Halfred had an older sister Rowan who was the great-grandmother of Sam Gamgee. Halfred also had three younger siblings: Erling, Hending, and Rose.

Halfred had a son named Holman Greenhand who worked as a gardener for Bilbo Baggins at Bag End.

Names & Etymology:
The name Greenhand is a reference to gardening.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Holman Greenhand
Gardener of Bilbo Baggins. Holman Greenhand was born in 2892. He was the son of Halfred Greenhand and the grandson of Holman the Greenhanded.

Holman Greenhand worked in the garden at Bag End in Hobbiton. Holman liked and admired Bilbo Baggins but found his employer's tendency to wander off on his own and talk to strangers and travellers rather peculiar. On April 5, 2941, Bilbo went out walking and told Holman that he hoped to meet some Elves since the next day was the Elves' New Year.

Shortly thereafter, Gandalf came to Bag End looking for Bilbo and Holman told the Wizard what Bilbo had said before he left. Gandalf was pleased by this indication of Bilbo's adventurous spirit and he made up his mind to include Bilbo as a member of the quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountainfrom Smaug the Dragon.

When over a year had passed since Bilbo left on the quest, he was declared dead. An auction was held to sell his possessions on June 22, 2942, and Holman assigned his apprentice Hamfast Gamgee to keep people from trampling the garden. Bilbo returned in the middle of the auction and took up residence in Bag End once more. Holman continued to work for Bilbo until around 2961, when Hamfast took over as gardener at Bag End. Holman's date of death is not known.

Names & Etymology:
The name Greenhand is a reference to gardening, while the name Holman may imply "hole dweller."

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "A Long-Expected Party," p. 30, 32
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383
Unfinished Tales: "The Quest for Erebor," p. 323, 327
The History of Middle-earth, vol. XII, The Peoples of Middle-earth: "The Family Trees," p. 113

Holman the Greenhanded
Founder of a family of gardeners. Holman was born in 2810. He lived in Hobbiton. Holman was known as the Greenhanded, implying that he was a skillful gardener. Holman had five children. His oldest daughter Rowan married Hob Gammidge, and they were the great-grandparents of Sam Gamgee. His second child Halfred Greenhand was a gardener, and Halfred's son Holman Greenhand worked as a gardener for Bilbo Baggins at Bag End. Holman the Greenhanded had two more sons, Erling and Hending, and a daughter Rose who married into the Cotton family.

Names & Etymology:
The name Holman probably means "hole dweller." His eldest son and his descendants took the surname Greenhand because they were gardeners.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Hending
Hobbit of the Shire. Hending was the son of Holman the Greenhanded of Hobbiton. He was born in 2859. He had three older siblings - Rowan, Halfred Greenhand, and Erling - and a younger sister named Rose.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Andwise Roper
Uncle of Sam Gamgee. Andwise Roper was born in 2923. He was the eldest child of Hobson Gamgee. He had three younger siblings: Hamfast (father of Sam), May, and Halfred of Overhill. Andwise had a son named Anson.

Andwise was commonly called Andy. He was a rope-maker like his father. They had a rope-maker's yard known as a rope-walk in the village of Tighfield. Sam Gamgee's older brother Hamson went to work for Andy as a rope-maker, and Sam learned quite a bit about ropes and knots from his Uncle Andy as well.

Sources:
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Lothlorien," p. 361
The Two Towers: "The Taming of Smeagol," p. 217
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383
"Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings," p. 193

Anson Roper
Cousin of Sam Gamgee. Anson Roper was born in 2961. His father was Andwise Roper, who was the older brother of Sam's father Hamfast Gamgee. Anson's family lived in Tighfield and he may have been a rope-maker like his father.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Rose
Great-grandmother of Rose Cotton Gamgee. Rose was the daughter of Holman the Greenhanded of Hobbiton. She was born in 2862. She had four older siblings: Rowan, Halfred Greenhand, Erling, and Hending. Rose married Cotman and they had a son named Holman Cotton who was the father of Farmer Tom Cotton.

Source:
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 383

Vital Statistics:

Race: Hobbits
Date of Birth: April 6, 2980 (see note)
Date of Death: Sometime after the year 61 F.A.
Residence: Number 3 Bagshot Row; later Bag End
Parents: Hamfast Gamgee and Bell Goodchild
Siblings: 2 brothers - Hamson & Halfred; 3 sisters: Daisy, May & Marigold
Spouse: Rose Cotton
Children: 6 daughters - Elanor the Fair, Rose, Goldilocks, Daisy, Primrose, Ruby
7 sons - Frodo Gardner, Merry, Pippin, Hamfast, Bilbo, Robin, Tolman
Eye color: Brown
Sword: A sword of Westernesse; later Sting
Pony: Bill the Pony
Galadriel's gift: Box of earth from Lothlorien & the seed of a mallorn tree

Detailed Biography:

Samwise Gamgee, Frodo Baggins' loyal servant, was determined to follow his master wherever he went even when he was not invited. Sam proved to be a brave and loyal companion and became Frodo's closest friend. His Hobbit-sense and his love for Frodo saw them both through danger and hardship to the end of the quest. Sam's unwillingness to give up hope even when things seemed darkest ensured that not only did they reach their goal, they also survived.

Unlike his three companions, Sam was not a gentlehobbit. His father Hamfast, known as the Gaffer, had been the gardener at Bag End for over 40 years, and Sam was his assistant. They lived at Number 3 Bagshot Row at the bottom of the Hill in Hobbiton. Hamfast and his wife Bell Goodchild had five other children. Sam's oldest brother Hamson went to work for their uncle Andwise Roper, from whom Sam also learned a thing or two about rope. Sam's youngest sister Marigold married Tom Cotton, whose sister Rosie had caught Sam's eye.

Sam had learned to read and write from Bilbo Baggins and he listened eagerly to Bilbo's tales about his adventures, particularly the ones about Elves. The Gaffer found his son's preoccupation with Elves and such a bit worrisome.

"Elves and Dragons! I says to him. Cabbages and potatoes are better for me and you. Don't go getting mixed up in the business of your betters, or you'll land in trouble too big for you, I says to him."
The Fellowship of the Ring: "A Long-Expected Party," p. 32

By the time Frodo Baggins inherited Bag End in 3001, Sam had taken over most his old Gaffer's duties. In the spring of 3018, Sam noticed that Frodo seemed restless with his life in the Shire. He agreed to help Merry Brandybuck and Pippin Took learn what was troubling their friend. When Gandalf came to Bag End in April of 3018, Sam was trimming the grass under the window (or so he claimed) and overheard the wizard telling Frodo that Bilbo's magic ring was the One Ring lost by the Dark Lord Sauron long ago. Sam could not help but cry out in dismay when he learned that Frodo would have to leave the Shire. Gandalf discovered him and decreed that Sam should accompany Frodo when he went.

Sam set out with Frodo from Bag End on September 23 on the pretense that he was going to be the gardener at Frodo's new home in Crickhollow. When the Hobbits left Crickhollow and journeyed into the Old Forest, Sam was the only one to keep his wits about him when the others succumbed to the spell of the Withywindle valley and fell asleep. Sam saved Frodo from drowning in the river, and Tom Bombadil came along to save Merry and Pippin from Old Man Willow.

At the Prancing Pony in Bree, Sam was suspicious of the Ranger called Strider who offered to guide the Hobbits into the Wild.

... Sam was not daunted, and he still eyed Strider dubiously. "How do we know you are the Strider that Gandalf speaks about?" he demanded. "You never mentioned Gandalf, till this letter came out. You might be a play-acting spy, for all I can see, trying to get us to go with you. You might have done in the real Strider and took his clothes. What have you to say to that?"
"That you are a stout fellow," answered Strider ...
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Strider," p. 183

In the end, Frodo decided to trust Strider, and they departed from Bree the next morning. Merry's ponies had been set loose during an attack on the inn the night before, and Barliman Butterbur bought him a pony as compensation. Sam became quiet attached to the pony and named it Bill.

After Frodo was wounded by the Witch-king at Weathertop, Sam was anxious for his master. But when Frodo requested a story, Sam complied by reciting a humorous poem about a Troll.

"Where did you come by that, Sam?" asked Pippin. "I've never heard those words before."
Sam muttered something inaudible. "It's out of his own head, of course," said Frodo. "I am learning a lot about Sam Gamgee on this journey. First he was a conspirator, now he's a jester. He'll end up by becoming a wizard - or a warrior!"
"I hope not," said Sam. "I don't want to be neither!"
The Fellowship of the Ring: "Flight to the Ford," p. 220

Frodo became gravely ill as a result of the Morgul-wound, and as he recovered at Rivendell Sam hardly left his side. Later when Frodo went to the Council to discuss the fate of the Ring, Sam attended too, uninvited and unobtrusively, until Frodo volunteered to take the Ring to Mordor.

"But you won't send him off alone surely, Master?" cried Sam, unable to contain himself any longer, and jumping up from the corner where he had been quietly sitting on the floor.
"No indeed!" said Elrond, turning towards him with a smile. "You at least shall go with him. It is hardly possible to separate you from him, even when he is summoned to a secret council and you are not."
The Fellowship of the Ring: "The Council of Elrond," p. 284

After the Fellowship left Rivendell, Sam quickly proved his usefulness. At the Moria Gate, Sam was first to react when the Watcher in the Water attacked Frodo. Although his beloved Bill bolted from the Watcher in fear, Sam let the pony go and ran to his master's side, slashing at the tentacle that grabbed him. During the battle in the Chamber of Mazarbul, Sam killed an Orc and was wounded on the head.

The Fellowship escaped to Lothlorien, where the Lady Galadriel offered Sam and Frodo a look into her Mirror. Sam first saw Frodo lying pale and unconscious; then he saw his beloved Shire being destroyed. His first thought was to go home, but though it grieved him he said, "No, I'll go home by the long road with Mr. Frodo, or not at all." (FotR, p. 378) When the Fellowship left Lorien, the Lady gave Sam a box of earth from her own orchard.

At Amon Hen, when Frodo went off to think on his own, Sam was the only one who truly understood what his master was going through. He realized that Frodo intended to go to Mordor, and that he would want to spare his friends and go alone. When the Fellowship went off in all directions looking for Frodo, Sam realized that Frodo had gone to the boats to row across to the eastern side. He caught up with Frodo and together they headed east toward Mordor.

In the Emyn Muil, Frodo and Sam met Gollum. Frodo spared Gollum's life and accepted his guidance to the Black Gate and, when that proved impassable, to Gollum's secret way into Mordor. But Sam remained suspicious of the creature's two personalities: the submissive Smeagol side Sam called "Slinker" and the devious Gollum side he called "Stinker."

In Ithilien, Frodo and Sam encountered a company of Rangers led by Captain Faramir of Gondor. They witnessed a battle between the Rangers and a group of Southrons on their way to Mordor. To his joy, Sam saw an Oliphaunt, but Sam was saddened also to see a dead Southron and wondered about the man's home and family. Then Faramir revealed that he was the brother of Boromir and questioned Frodo about his death. Sam stood up to Faramir, looking him sternly in the eye while Faramir sat on the ground, much to the amusement of the Rangers. Later Sam let slip that Frodo was carrying the Ring, but Faramir vowed that he would not take it and instead helped the Hobbits on their way.

Gollum led the Hobbits to the Stairs of Cirith Ungol. There they slept briefly. When Sam awoke he found Gollum "pawing" at his master, and he accused Gollum of sneaking. Sam did not realize it, but as Gollum had watched them sleep he had debated with himself over whether to lead the Hobbits to what awaited them in the secret passage, but Sam's hasty words had banished any thought of repentance.

Gollum led the Hobbits into the lair of the Great Spider Shelob. Sam was delayed by Gollum while Shelob stung Frodo in the neck. Sam drove Gollum off with his lebethron walking stick and then he took up the Phial and Sting. He put out one of Shelob's eyes and wounded her in her belly, and she slunk back into her lair. Sam went to his master's side, but he lay lifeless. He could find no breath or heartbeat in Frodo's body.

"Frodo, Mr. Frodo!" he called. "Don't leave me here alone! It's your Sam calling. Don't go where I can't follow! Wake up, Mr. Frodo!"
The Two Towers: "The Choices of Master Samwise," p. 340

Sam did not know what to do. His place was with Frodo, but at the same time he knew that the quest must not fail and that he had to go on. So he put his own sword by Frodo's body and left Frodo's coat of mithril mail, and he took Sting and the Phial, and finally the Ring. He composed his master's body as best he could and set out to finish the task.

He had not gone far when he saw a party of Orcs approaching the place where Frodo lay. He realized that he should never have abandoned his master and ran back, but they had already taken Frodo away. Sam followed and learned to his horror that Frodo was still alive and that he was being taken to the Tower of Cirith Ungol.

In Mordor, Sam felt the weight of the Ring and he was briefly tempted by its power, but his Hobbit-sense won out. He got past the Watchers at the gates of the Tower by using the Phial and was surprised to find that the Orcs had fought over Frodo's mithril shirt and that many of them were dead. He heard two of the survivors discussing him, saying that a Great Elf Warrior was on the loose. Then the Orc Shagrat ran past him carrying the mithril shirt, cloak, and sword toward Barad-dur. Sam let him go and went in search of Frodo, singing as he went.

"Though here at journey's end I lie
in darkness buried deep,
beyond all towers strong and high,
beyond all mountains steep,
above all shadows rides the Sun
and Stars for ever dwell:
I will not say the Day is done,
nor bid the Stars farewell."
The Return of the King: "The Tower of Cirith Ungol," p. 185

Sam thought he heard a faint response, and he climbed to the topmost chamber of the Tower where he found Frodo being tortured by Snaga. Sam charged at Snaga and the Orc fell through the trapdoor. Frodo lay naked and bleeding on the floor, but worse than his physical wounds was Frodo's despair that the Ring was gone and all was lost. When Sam revealed that he had the Ring in his safekeeping, Frodo lashed out at Sam and snatched the Ring from him. Frodo immediately regretted his actions, and Sam saw that the Ring's hold on Frodo was getting ever stronger.

Sam found some Orc gear for Frodo and himself and they set out across the plain of Gorgoroth toward Mount Doom. Frodo's only thought was of getting to the Fiery Mountain, but Sam was worried about how they would get back alive without enough food and water to last them both ways.

But even as hope died in Sam, or seemed to die, it was turned to a new strength. Sam's plain hobbit-face grew stern, almost grim, as the will hardened in him, and he felt through all his limbs a thrill, as if he was turning into some creature of stone and steel that neither despair nor weariness nor endless barren miles could subdue.
The Return of the King: "Mount Doom," p. 211

Sam saw that the Ring was becoming a weight on Frodo's body and mind. He could do nothing to ease his master's torment, but he did what he could to relieve some of his burden. They cast away their Orc garb, and Sam said farewell to the cooking gear he had carried for so long. And when Frodo could no longer walk and began to crawl, Sam carried him up the mountainside.

Sam looked at him and wept in his heart, but no tears came to his dry and stinging eyes. "I said I'd carry him, if it broke my back," he muttered, "and I will!"
"Come, Mr. Frodo!" he cried. "I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you and it as well. So up you get! Come on, Mr. Frodo dear! Sam will give you a ride. Just tell him where to go, and he'll go."
The Return of the King: "Mount Doom," p. 218

As they neared the Cracks of Doom, Gollum appeared. Sam drew Sting and told Frodo to go on. But something stopped him from killing the wretched creature who was ruined by centuries of bearing the Ring that Sam had briefly borne. Sam let him go and went to find Frodo. But Frodo, himself burdened by the terrible power of the Ring, claimed the Ring for himself and refused to destroy it. Then Gollum, whose life both Frodo and Sam had spared, attacked Frodo and bit off the finger that bore the Ring. Gollum fell into the fiery chasm and the Ring was destroyed. Mordor began to fall into ruin.

"I am glad that you are here with me," said Frodo. "Here at the end of all things, Sam."
"Yes, I am with you, Master," said Sam, laying Frodo's wounded hand gently to his breast. "And you're with me. And the journey's finished. But after coming all that way I don't want to give up yet. It's not like me, somehow, if you understand."
The Return of the King: "The Field of Cormallen," p. 228

Sam led Frodo out of Sammath Naur and down the mountain, where they were found by Gandalf and the Eagles. They were taken to Ithilien, where their wounds were tended to by Aragorn and they were honored as heroes by the Host of the West.

The four Hobbits returned home. Sam was delighted to find Bill the Pony alive at Bree. But trouble awaited them in the Shire: Saruman and his minions had taken over, and many trees had been felled to make way for industry as Sam had seen in his vision in the Mirror. The Hobbits routed the invaders and Sam set to work restoring his beloved Shire to its natural bucolic state. He carefully spread the grains of soil that Galadriel had given him around the Shire and he planted the mallorn seed where the Party Tree had once stood. In the spring of 3020 - 1420 by Shire Reckoning - the trees sprouted and gardens grew and the harvest was bountiful.

Sam married Rosie Cotton on May 1 of that year and they moved into Bag End with Frodo. Their daughter was born on March 25, 3021, and they named her Elanor after the flowers of Lothlorien. Sam was content, but his master was not. Frodo continued to be troubled by his wounds and his burden and decided to sail into the West and leave Middle-earth behind. Sam felt torn in two. He accompanied Frodo to the Grey Havens, and there he was parted from the master and friend he had served so faithfully.

Sam returned home to Bag End, which now belonged to him. He and Rosie had 13 children altogether. Their oldest daughter Elanor married Fastred of Greenholm, who became the Warden of Westmarch. Their daughter Goldilocks married Peregrin Took's son and heir Faramir. Sam was elected Mayor of Michel Delving in the year 6 of the Fourth Age. He served seven seven-year terms, and was made a Counsellor of the North-kingdom by Aragorn, King Elessar, in the year 13. In the year 15, the King visited the North-kingdom and gave Sam the Star of the Dunedain. Sam, Rosie and Elanor traveled to Gondor in the year 21 and stayed there for a year.

When Rose died in the year 61, Sam left Bag End to his oldest son Frodo Gardner and gave The Red Book to his daughter Elanor. He went to the Grey Havens and sailed over the the Sea into the West where it is hoped that he was reunited with Frodo. Frodo and Sam were mortal and remained so, and after dwelling in the peace and beauty of the Undying Lands for a time they eventually died.

As for Frodo or other mortals, they could only dwell in Aman for a limited time - whether brief or long. The Valar had neither the power nor the right to confer 'immortality' upon them. Their sojourn was a 'purgatory', but one of peace and healing and they would eventually pass away (die at their own desire and of free will) to destinations of which the Elves knew nothing.
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letter #325

Important Dates:

2980
April 6: Birth of Sam.

Note: There is a discrepancy between "The Tale of Years" (Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings), which gives Sam's birth year as 2983, and "The Longfather-Tree of Master Samwise" (Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings), which gives his birth year as 1380 S.R. or 2980. The date on the family tree seems more likely to be the correct date for several reasons. First, it is noted that Sam was 96 years old at the end of his final term as Mayor in 1476 S.R., which corresponds with a birth year of 1380 S.R. (2980). Second, on Sam's family tree his sister Marigold's birth year is given as 1383 S.R. (2983), and it is unlikely (though possible) that they were born in the same year. Third, Merry and Pippin are referred to as the "younger Hobbits" (FotR, p. 350) and Merry was born in 2982.

The date of April 6 as Sam's birthday is drawn from Appendix D of The Lord of the Rings: "... there grew up a custom of making holiday and dancing in the Party Field, when weather permitted, on April 6. Some said that it was old Sam Gardner's birthday, some that it was the day on which the Golden Tree first flowered in 1420, and some that it was the Elves' New Year." (p. 390)

3001
Frodo inherits Bag End. By this time Sam has taken over most of his father's gardening duties.

3018
Spring: Sam notices a change in Frodo's behavior and agrees to help Merry and Pippin learn what is troubling his master.

April 13: Sam overhears Gandalf telling Frodo he has the One Ring. Gandalf tells Sam he will accompany Frodo on his journey.

September 23: Sam sets out with Frodo from Bag End.
September 26: In the Old Forest, Sam remains awake when the others fall asleep and saves Frodo from drowning.
September 28: The Hobbits are captured by a Barrow-wight.
September 29: The Hobbits are rescued by Tom. They acquire swords of Westernesse from the barrow. In Bree, the Hobbits meet Strider and Sam demands proof that he is who he says.
September 30: The Hobbits leave Bree with Strider and Bill the Pony.

October 25: Sam secretly attends the Council of Elrond and is chosen to accompany Frodo to Mordor.

December 25: The Fellowship leave Rivendell.

3019
January 13: Sam saves Frodo from the Watcher in the Water. Bill the Pony runs away.
January 15: Sam kills an Orc in the Chamber of Mazarbul and is wounded on the head.

February 14: Sam looks into the Mirror of Galadriel.
February 16: The Fellowship leave Lorien.
February 26: At Amon Hen, Boromir tries to take the Ring. Frodo decides to go to Mordor alone but is followed by Sam.
February 29: Frodo and Sam meet Gollum.

March 1-2: Gollum leads the Hobbits through the Dead Marshes.
March 4: Sam overhears Gollum arguing with himself.
March 5: The Hobbits reach the Black Gate and realize it's impassable. Gollum proposes to lead them by a secret way.
March 7: Frodo and Sam meet Faramir, brother of Boromir. Sam sees an Oliphaunt.
March 13: Frodo is stung by Shelob and Sam believes him to be dead. He chooses to continue the quest alone, but then realizes that Frodo is alive and taken by the Enemy.
March 14: Sam finds Frodo in the Tower of Cirith Ungol.
March 15: Frodo and Sam escape from the Tower.
March 16: Frodo and Sam look toward Mount Doom from the Morgai.
March 17: Sam spots Gollum near a water-hole.
March 18: Frodo and Sam are forced to join a company of Orcs marching toward Udun.
March 19: Frodo and Sam escape from the Orcs and continue on.
March 22: Frodo and Sam leave the road and turn south toward Mount Doom.
March 23: The Hobbits cast away their gear.
March 24: The Hobbits reach the foot of Mount Doom.
March 25: Sam carries Frodo up the slopes of Mount Doom. They meet Gollum, and Sam confronts him while Frodo continues on. Sam spares Gollum's life. Frodo claims the Ring for himself. Gollum bites off Frodo's finger and falls into the fiery chasm and the Ring is destroyed. Sam helps Frodo out of Sammath Naur, and they are rescued from the destruction of Mordor by Gandalf and the Eagles.

April 6: Frodo and Sam are honored at the Field of Cormallen.

October 30: The Hobbits arrive at the Brandywine Bridge

November 2: Sam is reunited with Rosie Cotton.
November 3: The Battle of Bywater.

3020

Spring: Trees, gardens and crops are restored by Sam's use of the Lady's gift.

April 6: The mallorn tree flowers in the Party Field on Sam's birthday.

May 1: Sam marries Rosie Cotton and moves into Bag End.

3021

March 25: Birth of Sam's daughter Elanor.

September 21: Frodo and Sam set out for the Grey Havens.
September 29: Frodo sails into the West to the Undying Lands.

October 6: Sam returns to Bag End.

Fourth Age:

2
Birth of Sam's son Frodo.

4
Birth of Sam's daughter Rose.

6
Sam is elected Mayor of Michel Delving. Birth of Sam's son Merry.

8
Birth of Sam's son Pippin.

10
Birth of Sam's daughter Goldilocks.

11
Birth of Sam's son Hamfast.

12
Birth of Sam's daughter Daisy.

13
Sam is elected Mayor for a second term. He is made a Counsellor of the North-kingdom by King Elessar.

14
Birth of Sam's daughter Primrose.

15
King Elessar comes north and meets with Pippin, Merry and Sam. He gives Sam the Star of the Dunedain. Birth of Sam's son Bilbo.

17
Birth of Sam's daughter Ruby.

19
Birth of Sam's son Robin.

20
Sam is elected for a third term as Mayor.

21
Sam, Rosie and Elanor travel to Gondor and stay there for a year. Birth of Sam's son Tom.

27
Sam is elected for a fourth term as Mayor.

30
Elanor marries Fastred of Greenholm on the Far Downs.

31
The Westmarch, from the Far Downs to the Tower Hills, is added to the Shire as a gift of King Elessar.

33
Birth of Sam's grandson Elfstan Fairbairn, son of Elanor and Fastred.

34
Sam is elected for a fifth term as Mayor. Thain Peregrin makes Fastred the Warden of Westmarch. Fastred and Elanor move to Undertowers in the Tower Hills. From them are descended the Fairbairns of the Towers.

41
Sam is elected for a sixth term as Mayor. Birth of Sam's grandson Holfast Gardner.

42
Sam's daughter Goldilocks marries Pippin's son Faramir.

48
Sam is elected for the seventh and last time as Mayor.

61
Mid-year's day: Death of Sam's wife Rose.

September 22: Sam leaves Bag End. He gives The Red Book to his daughter Elanor and goes to the Grey Havens, where he follows Frodo over the Sea into the West.

Names and Titles:

Samwise Gamgee:
Samwise means "half wise," "simple" or "half-wit" in Old English. (Appendix F, p. 414; Letters, #72) See also panthael below.

Gamgee is an English surname and also a name for "cotton-wool," named after an English surgeon who invented "Gamgee tissue." Tolkien remembered the name from his childhood near Birmingham and used it to relate the Gamgee family to the Cotton family. As a Hobbit name, Gamgee is derived from Gamwich, a village in the Shire where the family originated. The Hobbitish form of Gamwich is Galabas - meaning "game village" - rendered as Galbasi as a family name. Other forms of the family name include Gammidge, Gamwichy, and Gammidgy.
"Guide to the Names in The Lord of the Rings," p. 166
The Letters of J.R.R. Tolkien: Letters #72, #144, #184


Ring-bearer:
Since Sam bore the Ring for a brief time in Mordor, he was also accorded the title "Ring-bearer."


Samwise the Stouthearted:
When Sam wondered whether the story of Frodo and the Ring would ever be told, Frodo suggested that someday Sam would be called Samwise the Stouthearted.

"But you've left out one of the chief characters: Samwise the stouthearted. 'I want to hear more about Sam, dad. Why didn't they put in more of his talk, dad? That's what I like, it makes me laugh. And Frodo wouldn't have got far without Sam, would he, dad?' "
The Two Towers: The Stairs of Cirith Ungol," p. 322


Samwise the Brave:
Frodo used this term instead of "Samwise the Stouthearted" in Peter Jackson's film version of The Lord of the Rings.


Samwise the Strong, Hero of the Age:
In Mordor, Sam was briefly tempted by the Ring and imagined himself as Samwise the Strong, Hero of the Age.

Wild fantasies arose in his mind; and he saw Samwise the Strong, Hero of the Age, striding with a flaming sword across the darkened land, and armies flocking to his call as he marched to the overthrow of Barad-dur. And then all the clouds rolled away, and the white sun shone, and at his command the vale of Gorgoroth became a garden of flowers and trees and brought forth fruit. He had only to put on the Ring and claim it for his own, and all this could be.
The Return of the King: "The Tower of Cirith Ungol," p. 177


Mayor of Michel Delving:
Sam was elected Mayor after Will Whitfoot resigned in the year 7 of the Fourth Age (1427 S.R.). Sam served seven seven-year terms as Mayor. Appendix B of The Lord of the Rings: "The Tale of Years," p. 377-78


Counsellor of the North-kingdom:
King Elessar made Sam a Counsellor of the North-kingdom in the year 14. (Appendix B, p. 377)


Perhael:
The Sindarin name for Samwise, meaning "half wise." The lenited form of the word is Berhael. This name is used to refer to Sam in the praise the the Field of Cormallen.

Daur a Berhael, Conin en Annûn! Eglerio!
(Frodo and Sam, Princes of the West, glorify them!)
The Return of the King: "The Field of Cormallen," p. 231


Panthael:
In recognition of Sam's accomplishments during the War of the Ring, Aragorn noted that he should be called Panthael meaning "full wise" rather than Perhael meaning "half wise." Aragorn wrote this in a letter to Sam that appears in the Epilogue found in The History of Middle-earth, vol. IX, Sauron Defeated.


Harthad Uluithiad (Hope Unquenchable):
In an early draft of "Many Partings," Gandalf gave this name to Sam.

"... I name before you all Frodo of the Shire and Samwise his servant. And the bards and minstrels should give them new names: Bronwe athan Harthad and Harthad Uluithiad, Endurance beyond Hope and Hope Unquenchable."
The History of Middle-earth, vol. IX, Sauron Defeated: "Many Partings," p. 62


Sam Gardner:
Sam came to be called this in later years, no doubt because of his skill as a gardener and his use of the Lady's gift to replenish the trees and plants of the Shire after the War of the Ring. His eldest son Frodo took the family name Gardner and from him descended the Gardners of the Hill. His other children may have taken this surname as well.
Appendix C of The Lord of the Rings: Gamgee genealogy, p. 379, 383
Appendix D of The Lord of the Rings: "The Calendars," p. 390

Banazîr Galbasi:
Banazir Galbasi is the Hobbit name of Samwise Gamgee. Banazir is the equivalent of Samwise, meaning "half wise," and is shortened as Ban. Galbasi, or Galpsi, is derived from Galabas, the Hobbitish form of the village Gamwich, meaning "game village."
Appendix F of The Lord of the Rings: "The Languages and Peoples of the Third Age," p. 414, 416