Surname Pagrave - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'P'
Pagrave: What does the surname Pagrave mean?
The surname Pagrave is believed to have originated from the French words "passe grave" which translates to "hard pass". This phrase most likely resulted from an occupation such as a city gatekeeper who had to be vigilant and strong in his position of security. Thus, the name would represent someone who was reliable in their position of authority.
The first known bearers of the Pagrave name were most likely living in Normandy, France in the 13th century, as this is where the spelling of the name first crops up in records. It is likely that the family had been in the area long before the first documented instance, making it possible to trace the ancestry of the surname back further than the 1200s.
Throughout the centuries, the Pagrave surname has spread across Europe. Today, people with the surname can be found in countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
In modern times, the surname Pagrave continues to be a reminder of its roots—a symbol of someone willing to take on a hard task and complete it with reliability and conviction. This is why many people with the surname today may take pride in their distinguished heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisPagrave: Where does the name Pagrave come from?
The Pagrave surname is most commonly found in England, particularly in the counties of Devon, Somerset, and Gloucestershire. The earliest record of the Pagrave family can be found in Devon, dating back to 1327, when a John Pagrave appears as a witness in a legal document. It is unclear if he was a descendant of the original Pagrave family, or if the name had already spread across the country by that point.
Today, the name Pagrave is still commonly seen throughout England, especially in the same regions where it was most commonly seen before. Families with the surname Pagrave currently live in Scotland, Wales, and many other English regions as well. However, the name still centers around the areas of Devon and Gloucestershire.
The name Pagrave is less commonly seen in other countries, however, it is not unheard of. The family name can be found in Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries across the world. There may also be people with the last name Pagrave in countries with close ties to England, such as Germany, The Netherlands, and other countries of the British Isles.
Overall, the Pagrave family is still a popular and timeless presence in England today, even if it may be less common in other countries.
Variations of the surname Pagrave
The surname Pagrave is one with an interesting history. It is thought to have originated from Normandy, France, but the exact origin is debated. As with any surname, this one has several variants, spellings and variations.
The most common variant of the surname Pagrave is the spelling Pablo. One popular French spelling is Pagraveau; other documents have listed the variation as Pagraver, Pagan, Pagerav, Pageras, Pages, Pageau, and Pagerot.
In addition, other surnames of similar origin include Pagret, Pagres, Pascal, Pasqual, Pagès, and Pagés. All of these surnames are generally believed to have originated from Normandy and are associated with the same family.
Pagrave is also a spelling of the old French surname from the Latin name of Paulus, meaning ‘small’ or ‘humble’. This surname can also be found in regions of Germany, where it is spelled Fegravel or Fegraven. In some cases, the spelling may appear as modernized forms of the name Pafigraft or Pafigraff.
These variants of the surname Pagrave create an interesting history and can be traced back to a similar origin. It is an interesting example of how surnames can change over time and how they can have multiple spellings, based on their origin.
Famous people with the name Pagrave
- Robert Pagrave: Film producer and actor, best known for his roles in What Happened To Monday, Joachim Trier’s Louder Than Bombs, and Quicksand.
- Harry Pagrave: British actor who appeared in such films as Longstone, The Betrayal, and Chill.
- Amélie Pagrave: French actor, known for her roles in The OA, A River Runs Through, and Backup.
- Darcy Pagrave: English actress who starred in The Inbetweeners Movie and Adulthood.
- Jules Pagrave: Indian actor known for his performance in Koi Mil Gaya, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and Dil Chahta Hai.
- Ryan Pagrave: American actor, best known for his roles in Wonder Wheel, The Good Shepherd, and Carnage.
- Hannah Pagrave: Australian actress popularly known for her roles in the TV series Neighbours and Home and Away.
- Paul Pagrave: Award-winning British director, producer, and screenwriter who gained fame for directing films such as Captain America: The First Avenger and Edge of Darkness.
- Richard Pagrave: British actor best known for his performances in Blackadder, Chariots of Fire, and The Singing Detective.
- Katherine Pagrave: British novelist, best known for her novels The Last Summer and The Nightingale.