An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Bellhammel

by Friedrich Kluge

Bellhammel, m., ‘bell-wether,’ ModHG. only; a LG. word (UpG. herma, equiv. to Herdmann, ‘herdsman’), corresponding exactly to Du. bel-hamel, E. bell-wether. Fr. clocheman, clocman (of Germ. origin), also Fr. mouton à la sonnette, make the connection of Bellhammel with Du. bel, MidDu. and AS. belle, E. bell, indubitable. In Fr. animal fables the bell-wether has the proper name Belin (akin to Fr. belier, ‘ram’), from the Du. bel, ‘little bell,’ whence also Fr. bélière, ‘ring of a bell-clapper.’