The Stoors were the second most numerous group of hobbits and the last to enter Eriador. They were stockier than other hobbits. They had an affinity for water, dwelt mostly beside rivers, and were the only hobbits to use boats and swim. Males were able to grow beards. Tolkien says they were "less shy of Men". Many hobbits of Buckland and the Marish in the Shire were Stoors, as were Déagol and Sméagol/Gollum. Tolkien used the Old English word "stor" or "stoor", meaning "strong".