Mythological references in Tolkien's works

[Guinevere]

You're mixing things up, Finwë!
The Dwarves' names are certainly from the "Dwergatal" in the Edda (old Norse/Icelandic) Even Gandalf's name is there as "Gandalfr" (meaning "Staff-Elf).

From the Finnish Kalevala Tolkien got the idea of the story of Túrin Turambar. (the story of Kullervo in the Kalavala)
And Quenia is influenced by the Finnish language.

Another source is "Beowulf" (on which he lectured as a professor of Anglosaxon) The description of Edoras and of the Rohirrim in general are influenced by this.

Here a quote to this topic from one of Tolkien's letters:

These tales are "new", they are not directly derived from other myths and legends, but they must inevitably contain a large measure of ancient wide-spread motives or elements. After all, I believe that legends and myths are largely made of "truth", and indeed present aspects of it that can only be received in this mode; and long ago certain truths and modes of this kind were discovered and must always reappear."

<font size=1 color=339966>[ 12:56 PM January 02, 2004: Message edited by: Guinevere ]