Surname Gage - Meaning and Origin

Journey Through Time: The Unraveling of Gage Surname via iGENEA DNA Test

I recently took the iGENEA DNA test, intending to uncover the historical mysteries linked with my surname, Gage. The findings have been enlightening. They revealed my ancestors' migrations and their probable cultures, etching an extraordinary story within my DNA. From Celt origins in Central Europe, through the historical corridors of Normandy and England, the Gage DNA has survived and thrived through eras, as a testament to our robust lineage.

Y. Gage

Gage: What does the surname Gage mean?

The surname Gage is of English and French origin and its meaning is associated with a pledge or a promise. It is derived from the Old French word "gage" which refers to a measure or a pledge that was given as surety for the fulfillment of a contract or promise. It was common during the Middle Ages for feudal landlords to take pledges from their tenants as a guarantee of the tenant's fealty and duty to the lord. The name Gage might also be related to the French word for measure, reflecting a role or occupation related to measurement, such as a weigher or tax assessor. Some believe it could also be a topographic name for someone who lived near a slope or ridge. However, there is also a possibility that it could have derived from "Gauz," a personal name of Old German origin, meaning "Goth." As a surname, Gage is found in England as early as the 13th century.

Gage: Where does the name Gage come from?

The last name Gage is of English origin and it was initially used as a nickname for a bold individual or a moneylender, derived from the Old French word "gage" which means "a pledge or a pawn". In some cases, it may be an occupational surname for a moneylender, from the same word "gage" signifying a money debt.

The Gage family lived in various parts of England, including Devon and Sussex, before migrating to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and particularly the United States in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, it was first found in Hampshire where they were granted lands by William the Conqueror for their assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.

According to Forebears, the surname Gage is most common in the United States, with over 20,000 bearers. In terms of its distribution, it is most frequently found in Canada. In England, it is most concentrated in the South East and East Anglia. In the recent years, its popularity has increased in Germany as well. Other places with a high frequency of the surname include Wales, Australia, and South Africa. Despite its English origin, Gage is not a common surname in England today.

Variations of the surname Gage

The surname Gage is of old French origin, derived from the word 'gage', meaning a pledge or surety. It was often used as a nickname for a reliable, trustworthy person.

The Gage surname has various alternate spellings across cultures and throughout history. Different versions include: Gaige, Gauge, Gager, and Gauger. There's also Geagea, a Lebanese variant. Earlier forms of the surname dating back to the Middle Ages may have included de Gai, Gay, Gai, or le Gage.

Widely known is the spelling Gauge, resembling a common English word, which could have led to spelling variations over time. Gaige, a less typical variant, could have originated from phonetic spelling when records were kept orally.

Also, the surname could possibly be anglicized from the equivalent word in other languages - for example, Gage could be an anglicized form of the German surname Gager.

As is common with surnames, regional and dialect differences, as well as phonetic spelling by non-native English speakers, could have further resulted in a variety of spellings, making the exact origin and all variations difficult to trace. Furthermore, surnames can often change significantly over generations due to marriage and cultural assimilation.

Famous people with the name Gage

• Thomas Gage: He was a British general known for his service in the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War.
• Lyman Judson Gage: An American financier and Presidential Cabinet officer, who served as U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under both Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.
• Frances Dana Barker Gage: She was a leading American reformer, feminist and abolitionist.
• Kevin Gage: An American actor known for his roles in the films "Heat" and "G.I. Jane".
• Nicholas Gage: A Greek-American author and investigative journalist, noted for his memoir "Eleni".
• Justin Gage: Former professional American football wide receiver who played in the NFL.
• Matilda Joslyn Gage: Prominent activist in the women's suffrage and Native American rights movements in the U.S.
• Phineas Gage: American railroad construction foreman best known for surviving an iron rod driven through his brain during a construction accident, his resultant personality changes gave important early evidence of the role and functioning of the brain.
• Margaret Gage: A figure of controversy due to speculation that she was a spy for the American forces during the early years of the American Revolutionary War.
• Gage Golightly: An American actress known for her roles in the television series "Teen Wolf" and "The Troop".

Other surnames

GaganpotraGagenGagewskiGagliardiGagneGagnon