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Samhain is derived from Old Irish ''Samain.'' According to folklore, ''Samain'' is a variation of ''sam-fuin,'' meaning summer's end.<ref name="McBain">MacBain, Alexander, ''An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language'', Gairm Publications, Glasgow, 1982. "'''samhuinn''', Hallow-tide, Ir. [samhain], E.Ir. [samuin], [samain], [samfhuin]: usually regarded as for [*sam-fuin], "summer-end", from [sam], summer, and [fuin], end, sunset."</ref> This derivation is given in the medieval tale "The Sick-Bed of Cuchulain." But it is not accepted by modern scholars.

Samhain is derived from Old Irish ''Samain.'' According to folklore, ''Samain'' is a variation of ''sam-fuin,'' meaning summer's end.<ref name="McBain">MacBain, Alexander, ''An Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language'', Gairm Publications, Glasgow, 1982. "'''samhuinn''', Hallow-tide, Ir. [samhain], E.Ir. [samuin], [samain], [samfhuin]: usually regarded as for [*sam-fuin], "summer-end", from [sam], summer, and [fuin], end, sunset."</ref> This derivation is given in the medieval tale "The Sick-Bed of Cuchulain." But it is not accepted by modern scholars.

Celtic scholar Whitley Stokes suggested that the word is derived from Proto-Celtic *''samani'', meaning "assembly."<ref>Stokes, Whitley (1907). "Irish etyma". ''Zeitschrift für vergleichende Sprachforschung.'' 40: 245.</ref> Ranko Matasović gives the derivation as "assembly on the 1st of November."<ref>Matasović, Ranko, ''Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Celtic'', Brill, 2009. "GOID MIr. ''samain'' "(assembly on the 1st of November [i f]"</ref>

Celtic scholar Whitley Stokes suggested that the word is derived from Proto-Celtic *''samani'', meaning "assembly."<ref>Stokes, Whitley (1907). "Irish etyma". ''Zeitschrift für vergleichende Sprachforschung.'' 40: 245.</ref> Ranko Matasović gives the derivation as "assembly on the 1st of November."<ref>Matasović, Ranko, ''Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Celtic'', Brill, 2009. "GOID MIr. ''samain'' "(assembly on the) 1st of November [i f]"</ref>

The 12th century legend ''Cormac's Adventure'' portrays the Feast of Tara (''Feis Temro'') as a parliamentary body that met for seven days every seven years around the time of Samhain.<ref>"[https://sejh.pagesperso-orange.fr/keltia/version-en/echtraCormacB.html The Irish Ordeals, Cormac's Adventure in the Land of Promise, and the Decision as to Cormac's Sword.]" "Three preeminent assemblies used to be held at that time, namely, the Feast of Tara on Allhallowtide - for that was the Easter of the heathen, and all the men of Erin were at that meeting, helping the king of Erin to hold it - and the Fair of Tailtiu at Lammas, and the Great Meeting of Uisnech on Mayday."</ref> The last Feast of Tara was held in 560. It crowned Diarmait mac Cerbaill (Dermot), the first Christian high king.

The 12th century legend ''Cormac's Adventure'' portrays the Feast of Tara (''Feis Temro'') as a parliamentary body that met for seven days every seven years around the time of Samhain.<ref>"[https://sejh.pagesperso-orange.fr/keltia/version-en/echtraCormacB.html The Irish Ordeals, Cormac's Adventure in the Land of Promise, and the Decision as to Cormac's Sword.]" "Three preeminent assemblies used to be held at that time, namely, the Feast of Tara on Allhallowtide - for that was the Easter of the heathen, and all the men of Erin were at that meeting, helping the king of Erin to hold it - and the Fair of Tailtiu at Lammas, and the Great Meeting of Uisnech on Mayday."</ref> The last Feast of Tara was held in 560. It crowned Diarmait mac Cerbaill (Dermot), the first Christian high king.