Surname Applegate - Meaning and Origin

A Journey Through Time: Discovering the Applegate Legacy through iGENEA

Expertly decoding my lineage, iGENEA shed a new light on my journey of self-discovery. Their results marked an emotional ride, linking my present to a storied past that increased my pride, understanding, and respect for my family name – Applegate.

R. Applegate

Applegate: What does the surname Applegate mean?

Applegate is an English surname of topographical origin, meaning someone who lived or worked near an apple garden or orchard. It derives from the Old English words "æppel" meaning apple, and "gat" meaning gate or road. Hence, the term literally translates to ‘the road to the apple garden’. Over time, it evolved into many variations including Applegarth, Appleyard, and Applegate. This name may have been geographically linked to locations in England known for apple cultivation. It is of particular prevalence in areas such as the North of England and is associated with ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes. The surname Applegate was first established in ancient times in the county of Northumberland, situated on the north-east coast of England. Like many surnames that originated from professions or geographic locations, it would have been used to distinguish individuals who lived in close proximity to one another.

Applegate: Where does the name Applegate come from?

The surname Applegate is of Anglo-Saxon origin, predominantly found in England. It is a locational name derived from any one of the places named Applegate, after Old Norse ‘apaldr’ (apple tree) and Old English ‘gat’ (gate). The term was often used to signify a gate to an orchard or a toll gate where apple trees were. This surname first appears in written records in Norfolk, England during the 14th century.

Today, Applegate is relatively common in English-speaking countries, especially the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The popularity of this surname in the US significantly grew due to the Applegate Trail, named after a prominent American pioneer Jesse Applegate. The trail referred to as the southern route of the Oregon Trail is a significant part of the history of Western expansion in the United States during the 19th century. As such, the surname Applegate continues to hold historical significance in certain regions of the country. Despite that, compared to common last names like Smith or Johnson, the surname Applegate is still fairly uncommon.

Variations of the surname Applegate

The origin of the surname Applegate can be traced back to Britain. Throughout history, there have been several variations in the spellings due to varied translations and pronunciations. Some of these variant spellings include Appelgate, Appelgath, Appleget, Applegrade, Apollokit, Appelkot, Apelcot, Applecot, Applecots, Applegarth, Applegath, Applegoat, Apelgoat, and Aplegate.

Additionally, Applegate may have also been adapted into different forms in different regions. For instance, in regions where Dutch was commonly spoken, Applegaard could be a probable variant. Likewise, Apfelgarten could be a variant in German speaking regions.

However, it should be noted that the exact variant might differ based on local dialects, phonetic shifts over time, and transcription errors. A common phenomenon was the Anglicization of surnames, which altered and simplified a number of names when families migrated to English-speaking countries.

As for surnames of the same origin, these would generally be names that originated in the same regions as Applegate, or those that have similar root words or meanings. Given that Applegate is believed to mean 'the orchard' or 'apple orchard', other surnames relating to orchards, farming or specific types of trees could be considered of the same origin.

Famous people with the name Applegate

• Christina Applegate: An American actress and dancer who gained fame for her role as Kelly Bundy on the Fox sitcom "Married...with Children". She has also starred in several films including "The Sweetest Thing", "Anchorman", and "Bad Moms".
• Royce D. Applegate: An American actor and screenwriter best known for his role as Chief Petty Officer Manilow Crocker on the television series "SeaQuest DSV". He appeared in many films and television shows throughout his career.
• Jodi Applegate: An American broadcast journalist who has worked for various television stations including NBC, MSNBC, and CNN. She has been a news anchor and correspondent on various news programs throughout her career.
• Kaitlyn Applegate: An American model who has worked with several high-profile fashion brands.
• Douglas Applegate: A retired American military officer who ran for Congress in California during the 2016 elections. He is a retired Colonel in the United States Marine Corps.
• Ryan Applegate: A professional basketball player who has played in various national and international leagues.
• Mary Frances Applegate: A noted historian and author who has published several historical and non-fiction works.
• Robert Applegate: A renowned scientist known for his work in the fields of nuclear physics and astrophysics.

Other surnames

Applegarth