Finnveden

Finnveden or Finnheden is one of the ancient small lands of Smalandia. It corresponded to the hundreds of Sunnerbo Hundred, Östbo Hundred and Västbo Hundred. The latter is presently part of Jönköpings län.

It was first mentioned by Jordanes when he referred to its population as the Finnaithae (derived from an old form of Finnheden, Finn(h)aith-) when describing the nations of Scandza in Getica.

The connection between the name and the Fenno-Ugric nations of Samis and Finns is thought to be that the name derives from an ancient name for Hunter-gatherer (Finn), as the poor soil hindered colonization efforts by farmers.