Surname Begg - Meaning and Origin
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Begg: What does the surname Begg mean?
The last name Begg is of Scottish origin derived from the Old English word 'begga', meaning 'petitioner, supplicant'. This likely arose in feudal times when many peasants had to accept the title of 'begg' in order to receive favors or mercy from wealthier landowners. In the Middle Ages, the term 'begg' was also sometimes associated with the literal act of begging for food or other resources.
In more recent times, the surname Begg has often been used as a nickname for a poor person. In some instances it may even have been used as a derogatory term which would likely have been viewed as distasteful in more modern times. The surname has various spellings including aggregate forms such as Begge, Beg, and Bage.
The surname Begg is not very common in the modern days, however, it still occasionally seen in various countries around the world, including Scotland, England, France, and the United States. Today, it is a surname of noble origin, often associated with strength and determination, as well as loyalty and service. Because of its associations with poverty, Begg can also be seen as a sign of humility and a willingness to work hard for the benefit of others.
Order DNA origin analysisBegg: Where does the name Begg come from?
The surname Begg is most common in Scotland today, particularly in the Highlands. The origin of the surname is either Scottish, Irish, or English. According to the 1881 census, the name Begg was most prominent in Argyll, where it was the 11th most common last name. It was also quite common in Inverness-shire, Ross and Cromarty, and Shetland.
In addition to Scotland, the name Begg is also quite common in Ireland today. There were a large number of Scottish settlers to Ireland in the 17th centuries from Argyll and Ulster, though the exact origin of the surname is unknown. In Ireland, the name is mainly found in County Antrim, County Down, and County Londonderry.
These days, the surname Begg can be found in various other countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. This is due to the large number of Scots-Irish immigrants who went abroad in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The highest concentration of Beggs can still be found in Scotland, though not as many as in the past.
Variations of the surname Begg
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname Begg include Beg, Bigg, Beigg, Biegge, Beigge and Biege.
Beg originated in Scotland and is derived from the Gaelic name ‘Mac Beatha’, meaning ‘son of life’ or ‘son of beth’. The name was popularized by Thomas de Beatha, who was part of the court of Alexander II, King of Scotland from 1214-1249. The name was eventually adopted as a surname by members of his family. The spelling of the name later changed to Beg with the introduction of the English language.
Bigg is an anglicised version of Beg and is thought to have originated in Ireland and England. It is also the anglicised version of the German name Bigge, which is derived from the word ‘big’, meaning ‘large’ or ‘great’.
Beigg is a variant spelling of Beg that originated in Scotland. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic word ‘macbethaigh’, which means ‘son of life’ or ‘son of beth’.
Biegge is a variation of Begg that is found mainly in Germany and the Netherlands. It is derived from the German name ‘Biegger’, which is derived from the Middle High German word ‘peer’, meaning ‘famous’ or ‘noble’.
Beigge is another variation of Begg that originated in Germany. It is derived from the Middle High German ‘beig’, which means ‘by’.
Biege is a variation of Begg that is often found in Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. It is derived from the German ‘Viegers’, which is a derivative of the Middle High German word ‘pier’, meaning ‘famous’ or ‘noble’.
Famous people with the name Begg
- Ann Begg: a Labour Party politician from Scotland who served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Aberdeen South from 1997 to 2015.
- Gordon Begg: a Canadian politician who served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Clackmannan from 1995 to 1999.
- Canon John Begg: an internationally known Scottish tuba and euphonium player.
- James Begg: a Canadian minister and prominent fur merchant with the NorthWest Company.
- Jim Begg: a Scottish footballer who played as a winger for Leeds United in the 1960s.
- John Begg: a British-born Irish composer and conductor who wrote several musicals.
- Murray Begg: a New Zealand sports journalist and TV presenter specialising in rugby union and rugby league.
- Peter Begg: an English-born Australian actor, producer and director.
- Robert Begg: a Member of Parliament in New Zealand from 1984 to 1987.
- Simon Begg: a British politician who served as an advisor to the Prime Minister Tony Blair.