An island in S. Nen Hithoel translated “Tindrock” (LotR/373), but more literally meaning “Isle of the Great Steeples” (PE17/22, PE17/61). The first element of this name is tol(l) “island”, but the origin of the second element is unclear. In one place, Tolkien indicated it was an elaboration of brand “steeple” (PE17/22, PE17/61), in another that it was a corruption of baradnir “tower-steep” (RC/333).
Conceptual Development: In Lord of the Rings drafts from the 1940s, Tolkien considered many different names for this island: first N. Toll-ondren “Carrock” with many minor variations (TI/268, 285) and then N. Tolharn or Tollernen “Stoneait” (TI/324), revised to N. Eregon “Stone Pinnacle” (TI/345), briefly N. Emris before reverting back to Eregon (TI/367) and then finally N. Tol Brandor >> Tol Brandir (TI/359, 367).
6th and last chief of the House of Haleth, who became the rival of Túrin (S/216). His name is a combination of brand “lofty, noble” and dîr “man”, hence: “✱Noble Man”.
Conceptual Development: In the earliest Lost Tales, his name was given as G. Tamar (LT2/101). In Silmarillion drafts from the 1930s his name changed to N. Brandir and remained so thereafter (SM/129). In The Etymologies, this name was given as a compound of N. brann “lofty, noble” and N. dîr “man”, which is the source of the derivation given above (Ety/BARÁD, DER).