The Boffin family was a prominent family of the Shire, associated with the region of the Yale in the Eastfarthing.[1] Important members include Berylla Boffin, who was an ancestor of both Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, and Folco Boffin, who helped Frodo in his move from Bag End.[2]
Family tree of the Boffins of Yale
Showing the prominent members of the Boffin clan.[1] The figures after the names are those of birth (and death where that is recorded). A dashed line indicates marriage, or when extended vertically, indicates a line of descent with one or more generations not shown. Names in italics signify those who attended Bilbo's Farewell Party on 22 September S.R. 1401. Names in parentheses represent significant hobbits related to the Boffins.
| Buffo | Ivy Goodenough | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bosco 1167-1258 | Basso 1169 [note 1] | Briffo 1170 [note 2] | Berylla 1172 | Balbo Baggins | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Otto the Fat 1212-1300 | Lavender Grubb [note 3] | (Mungo Baggins) | (Largo Baggins) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Hugo 1254-1345 | Donnamira Took 1256-1348 | Uffo 1257 | Sapphira Brockhouse | Rollo 1260 | Druda Burrows | Primrose 1265 | Blanco Bracegirdle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jago 1294-1386 | Jessamine 1297-c.1401 | Herugar Bolger 1295-1390 | Gruffo 1300-1399 | Gerda 1304-1404 | Adalbert Bolger | (Bruno Bracegirdle) 1313-1410 | (Lobelia) 1318-1420 | (Otho Sackville-Baggins) | (BILBO BAGGINS) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vigo 1337-1430 | Griffo 1344 | Daisy Baggins | (Hugo Bracegirdle) 1350 | (Hilda Bracegirdle) 1354 | (Seredic Brandybuck) | (Lotho Sackville-Baggins) | (FRODO BAGGINS) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Folco 1378 | (Fredegar Bolger) | Tosto 1388 | various descendants | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Family tree notes
- ↑ Reputed to have 'gone to sea' in 1195
- ↑ Removed to Bree in 1210
- ↑ Sister of Laura Grubb, who married Mungo Baggins
Etymology
The name Boffin is a rendition into English of Westron Bophîn, of unknown meaning.[3] An early idea by Tolkien was to translate it "Loffin", as Bophîn (at that time) had a connection to "Laugh".
In other stories
In the illustrated short story Mr. Bliss, the local police officer is a Sergeant Boffin who - at the behest of Gaffer Gamgee - seeks to lock up Mr Bliss as a thief for failing to pay for his car. Sergeant Boffin also has a son named Sam.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix C, "Boffin of the Yale"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, The Fellowship of the Ring, "Three is Company"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings, Appendix F, "On Translation"
- ↑ J.R.R. Tolkien, Mr. Bliss (2011 edition), pp. 60-70