Surname Savage - Meaning and Origin
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The Emotional Journey with iGENEA: A DNA Pillar of My Family History Shaped by the Surname Savage
Undergoing a DNA test with iGENEA was an emotional journey, revealing deep family history associated with the surname Savage. The discoveries unearthed deep connections with ancestral roots leading back to early medieval Europe and Celtic tribes.
A. Savage
read moreSavage: What does the surname Savage mean?
The surname Savage, of English and French origin, can be traced back to the Middle Ages. In England, it was derived from the Old French word "sauvage" which means "wild" or "natural". It was typically used to refer to a person who, in the eyes of civilized society, was primitive or uncivilized in their manners or way of life. This could have included people who resided in rural, unincorporated areas or those who behaved outside the societal norms. On the other hand, in France, the surname Savage was mainly linked to places named Sauvage. Therefore, the surname could have been a locational name for someone who hailed from such a place. Just like many other surnames, the exact meaning of the surname Savage may vary, depending on the cultural and historical context, but broadly it reflects a connection with untamed nature or unconventionality.
Order DNA origin analysisSavage: Where does the name Savage come from?
The last name Savage is quite common today, especially in the English-speaking world. It is particularly prevalent in the United States, where it ranks as the 112th most common name. It is also quite common in the United Kingdom, where it ranks as the 600th most common name, and has been found in the country for hundreds of years. In Ireland, the name also appears on the records, but is as the much rarer spelling of Savage.
The surname likely origins with the French-Norman name (de) Savage, which was brought to England by the Normans in the 11th century. It is derived from the French adjective "sauvage", which means "wild" or "of the woods". This likely indicated that the original bearer of the name lived in a woodland area.
The name is spread around the world today, most notably in the United States, Canada, France, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many parts of Central and South America. The last name is also relatively common in the Caribbean, some parts of Asia, the Middle East and, not surprisingly, the region of Normandy, France, where the name first arose.
Variations of the surname Savage
The surname Savage is a common name of British origin. It can be spelled in several different ways, including Savidge, Savadge, Savige and Savidg. Common variants of the surname include Saffage, Seveg, Sferg and Savadge.
Most of the variations of the name Savage originated during the Medieval Period in England, Ireland and Scotland. During this time, surnames were spelt in multiple ways because there was not yet a standard spelling. The variations were also caused by the lack of literacy in the population and by people hearing the name being pronounced differently to the way they would say it.
The name Savage is derived from the French word 'sauvage' which means 'wild', or 'untamed'. This could refer either to the personality of the original bearer, or could simply imply a rural origin.
The Savage surname is also found in the United States of America and Canada. In these countries, some versions of the name have become Americanized, such as Savidge or Savige.
The Savage name may also be associated with other surnames, such as Saba, Savidge, Seavage, Seavey, Sivey, and Sewage in the United States and Canada.
In conclusion, the surname Savage has many common variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The spelling, and thus the variant, was largely determined by the area of the country it was native to as well as the background and education of the original bearer.
Famous people with the name Savage
- Steve Savage- American songwriter and musician.
- Sarah Savage- British actress and singer.
- Dan Savage- American advice columnist, journalist, and author.
- Adam Savage- American special effects designer and fabricator.
- Richard Savage- British playwright, translator, and poet.
- Jonathan Savage- English musician, record producer, sound engineer, and mixer.
- Terry Savage- American business journalist and author.
- John Savage- American actor.
- Debbie Savage- English singer, songwriter, and composer.
- Gary Savage- English musician and recording artist.
- Sidney Savage- American actor and producer.
- Barry Savage- Jamaican reggae singer and musician.
- Sam Savage- American novelist, academic, and translator.
- Liza Savage- American figure skater.
- Michelle Savage- American actress.
- Chris Savage- Australian track cyclist and Olympian.
- Dave Savage- American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
- Lawrence Savage- British composer, conductor, and orchestrator.
- Danica Savage- American radio host and television celebrity personality.
- Eddie Savage- American professional basketball player.