The Aettir

There are 3 main Runic alphabets. These are called the Common German Futhark, the Anglo-Saxon Script, and the Viking Script. These alphabets are divided into 3 groups of characters. These groups are called aettir. 

Aett is an old Icelandic word with a variety of meanings. These meanings include 'sex', 'gender', 'family', and '8'. The Germanic Futhark divided into 3 groups of 8 runes. 16 rune Viking script divided into groups of 6, 5, and 5. 

Iceland was settled in 870AD. The Runes were gathered into Aettir named after their gods and goddesses Freya, Hagal, and Tiw.