"Pendragon" derives from Welsh "pen" (head) and "dragon," meaning "chief dragon" or "head dragon." It was a title, possibly linked to a dragon standard or symbol of leadership, first recorded with Uther Pendragon in Geoffrey of Monmouth's "Historia Regum Britanniae" (c. 1136). Arthur, his son, is not called Pendragon; he is known as Arthur Pendragon only in some later traditions. Historically, Arthur likely had no family name, as surnames were not common then. His identity is tied to his father’s title in legend.
The dragon ties to Celtic mythology, where it represents power, protection, and the underworld. Mystically, it’s linked to the constellation Draco, seen as a cosmic guardian, and in occult traditions, dragons embody primal energy and spiritual transformation. Spiritually, Pendragon suggests a ruler with divine or magical authority, often associated with Merlin’s guidance in Arthurian legend. Occultly, it connects to alchemy, where the dragon symbolizes the mercurial spirit (Mercurius), representing duality and enlightenment. Some esoteric groups, like the Rosicrucians, interpret it as a symbol of the initiate’s mastery over inner chaos, aligning with the quest for the Holy Grail.