Garihir was born, according to his non commital comments, a long way to the south, somewhere in Gondor. He has a sister, Birna, who he has only met once since leaving home, which was recently. He hasn't spoken much about his earlier life, but it can be assumed he spent alot of his early life as a worker, or farmer, before later joining a Gondorian army.

As a Dwarf of King Dains people, Bregir travelled with the Dwarven army from the Iron Hills to aid Thorin Oakenshield in Erebor. His tasks were those of a runner or courier, and as such he took part in 'The Battle of the Five Armies', conveying messages up and down the lines as he had done in many skirmishes in the east. It is possible that he earned his name here, but it is not a story he often shares.