The Ñoldor (singular Ňoldo), also known as the Deep-elves, were the second clan of those Elves who joined the Great March and came to the West.
According to legend, they were originally the Tatyar, meaning "Second Ones". This tribe was begun by Tata, the second Elf to awake at Cuiviénen, along with his wife Tatië and their 54 companions — but the first Ñoldo to come to Valinor was Finwë, who became their king and led most to the Undying Lands.
They typically had dark hair, except for those of Vanyarin blood, most prominently the golden haired members of the House of Finarfin.
The Ñoldor were considered the greatest of the Elves in lore and craft. Fëanor was the greatest of their artisans, and their second and briefest-reigning King. When Melkor killed Finwë and stole the Silmarils, Fëanor renamed Melkor Morgoth ("Black Enemy"), and persuaded the Ñoldor to pursue Melkor to Middle-earth and wage the War of the Great Jewels against him.