Belfalas

It seems that this region was settled by an independent group of Faithful Númenóreans in the Second Age, before the establishment of Gondor by the sons of Elendil. We have little specific detail about these early settlers, but they gave rise to the noble line of the Princes of Belfalas, and were apparently the ancestors of the Princes of Dol Amroth.

Falas is a well-established Elvish word meaning 'shoreline' or 'coast', especially one washed by surf. The Bel- element of Belfalas' name is more difficult to interpret, and indeed Tolkien himself seemed unsure of its origins. In some sources it is interpreted as Sindarin, meaning 'steep' or 'sheer' in reference to its cliffs. Elsewhere the name is seen as coming from an obscure ancient name Bêl for a part of this region, though that name may in turn have been influenced by Elvish.