...if Geraint ever meant, as Davies explains it, a ship or vessel, it would be tempting to see in the story an allegory of the scenes through which the soul is dragged by its mate, the ship that bears it.
    Geraint is relegated by Davies to the realms of myth; but there really was a naval commander whom the Romans termed Gerontius, who, just at the time of the supposed groans of the Britons, was murdering a sham imperator raised by the soldiery, and defending the coast.  He was attacked by mutineers, and killed himself while his house was burning around him.  Some, in consideration of this conclusion, identify him with Vortigern, but he seems to have been a very different character.  His name may be a derivative from the Greek γερον (gerōn), an old man, elder, or senator, which perfectly explains the Latin; but it would be more agreeable, though less probable, to follow Mr. Davies, and consider it as meaning a ship.  Geraint ap Erbin, Gwenwynwyn, and March, are the three naval champions of Britain, and this same Geraint was the prince of Devon, and husband of Enid. (History of Christian Names, Yonge, 1884)