The name walnut is derived from the Old English: walhhnutu is wealh (foreign) + hnutu (nut). Etymologically it meant the nut of the Roman lands (Gaul and Italy) as distinguished from the native hazel, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Indeed, the Romans held it to be sacred to the god Jupiter, known as ‘Jove’ who is said to dine on this nut when he comes to earth. The botanical name Juglans is derived from this – ‘Jovis’ (Jupiter); glans (an acorn or nut).