Surname Wages - Meaning and Origin
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Wages: What does the surname Wages mean?
The surname Wages is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from an occupational name for a conductor of weights and measures. It is derived from the old English term "waeg(e)", which means a weight or a measure. Additionally, "waegan" refers to carrying or conveying, referring to a carrier. Hence, it is connected with occupations like a trader, transporter, or carrier.
Like many surnames from this era, occupational surnames directly linked the type of work that people did. The longevity and widespread usage of the Wages surname suggest that the carrier or trader's role was important within medieval communities, typically rural.
Moreover, the variation in this surname's spelling includes Wadge, Wage, Wager, and others. The surname first appears on record in the mid-12th century England, with Walter Wage noted in the Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire in 1199.
In short, Wages is a surname tied to the profession of its original bearers, reflecting the important trade roles they held in their communities.
Order DNA origin analysisWages: Where does the name Wages come from?
The last name Wages is most commonly found in the United States today. There is a particularly high concentration of the Wages family name in the states of Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, although it is also common in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky.
In terms of specific cities, the towns and cities in Georgia and Alabama with the highest concentration of Wages family members are Augusta, Dalton, Marietta, LaGrange, Brighton, Newnan, Aiken, and Rome.
The Wages surname has been recognized as a distinct family for centuries. It most likely originated from the Old English and German language prefix “wage,” which can be translated to mean “fabricator of weapons” or simply “armourer.” As a result, it is believed that the Wages family may have been involved in the munitions industry hundreds of years ago.
The Wages family still maintains its strong roots in the American South. Many of its members are born and raised in the region, and many have since moved away to different parts of the country. But regardless of location, the Wages family is still closely connected by its shared heritage and last name.
Variations of the surname Wages
The surname Wages is of English origin and has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These variants include Wage, Wagges, Wagg, Waggs, Waig, Waige, Waigeis, Waiges, Waigis, Waigs, Wauge, Wauges, and Waugais.
The earliest recorded references to the surname date back to the 12th century, in Normandy, England. It was derived from the Old French word ‘waige’ meaning ‘custody’ and was likely used to signify one who worked in a guard, or custody, role. It was likely used as a nickname for someone who was responsible for taking care of another person’s money, such as a steward, or to designate a person who had been released from debt when a custodian took the money in lieu of payment.
The suffix -es is often appended to this name, making Wagees, Waiges and Wauges. This is thought to be a local dialect variation of the main surname. Another surname variation is Waigis, which is an old German spelling derived from the name Waige.
Variations of the surname with the prefix Wagg–, such as Wagg and Waggs, are thought to have originated from those living near a bridge or ford where waggons crossed, with the prefix Wag- deriving from the Anglo-Saxon word wag- meaning wagon.
The surname Wages is also linked to the Gaelic MacMhuigheasain, or Son of the Brewer, which was a name given to brewers in Scotland, who were known as waighers and waggers. The Gaelic form of Wages is Mac an Bhreislein.
Variations of this surname can be found in many countries today, with Wages remaining one of the most common spellings in the United States and England.
Famous people with the name Wages
- Chassidy Wages: American country singer
- Allie Wages: National Video Game Champion
- Andy Wages: American football player
- Richard Wages: television composer
- Troy Wages: former baseball outfielder
- Chris Wages: Major League Baseball (MLB) scout
- Branden Wages: former professional American football player
- Ron Wages: former American football linebacker
- John Wages: former professional American football player
- Sal Wages: former professional American football player
- Charles Wages: American football head coach
- Billy Wages: Professional Wrestler
- Kevin Wages: Professional Hockey Player
- James Wages: Film and Television composer
- Janelle Wages: former American National Basketball Association player
- Wayne Wages: Professional Drummer for Jimmy Buffett
- Robert Wages: former president of the United States Golf Association
- Brad Wages: Football Player for Green Bay Packers
- Mike Wages: former Singer/Songwriter for Cash Money Records
- Jo Ann Wages: American Politician and social activist