Surname Elgee - Meaning and Origin

Elgee: What does the surname Elgee mean?

The last name Elgee is of Anglo-Saxon and Old English origin. It is a topographical surname, originally derived from the Old English words "el" or "æl" meaning "alder" and "gæ" meaning "clearing" or "wood". It is believed that the original bearer of the name would have lived in or near a clearing with a lot of alder trees. As a result, the earliest records of the surname indicate people who lived near alder woods, likely a rural or forested area.

In early records, the last name Elgee may also have been spelled somewhat differently, as its spelling has changed over time. Some historical variations include Elegi, Elgey, Elkgee, Elge, and Elgie.

The last name Elgee is currently found primarily in the United Kingdom, particularly among the English and the Scottish. It has seen some spread to Canada and the United States, and is much more common in the northern parts of those countries.

Being associated with nature, the surname Elgee is likely to bring to mind images of seclusion, peacefulness, and natural beauty. It is a proud name that continues to be passed down from generation to generation.

Elgee: Where does the name Elgee come from?

The last name Elgee is most often found in England today. It is usually associated with the Lancashire region of the country, and is thought to have emerged as a local name, related to the industrial nature of this industrialised northern area. Elgee can be a variant of two British surnames, Ellgee or Elgee. According to genealogical records, there is evidence of the name surfacing in early records of the region throughout the 15th and 16th centuries.

Apart from England, Elgee can also be found in countries such as New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, Canada, France, and Germany. There are records that document early migrations of the Elgee surname to other countries, where it may have been anglicised over time to Eljay, Ellgy, or Elgee. It is likely that the Elgee family is composed of multiple branches across the world, with various anglicised spellings of the name.

In general, the Elgee surname is most strongly connected to England and the North West of England in particular. Lancashire has been the primary area of origin for this surname, with records of land and property ownership in the region associated with the Elgee name in the 17th century.

Variations of the surname Elgee

Elgee is a surname of English origin, and it comes from the Old English personal name Aelfgifu, which came from two Old English elements meaning "elf gift". This name was originally given as a nickname to a generous or friendly person.

Variants, spellings, and other surnames that are of the same origin as Elgee include:

• Elgey

• Elgie

• Allgood

• Algie

• Elgays

• Elguay

• Elge

• Elgi

• Elgia

• Elgit

• Elgot

• Elgut

• Algate

• Elgates

• Elgoode

• Allgaeuer

• Allgyer

• Elgar

• Algaer

• Elger

• Aelfgifu

• Elgish

• Elguy

• Alfgy

• Elgeye

• Elgers

• Elgors

• Allguay

• Elgore

• Elfgeo

• Elgood

• Aelgifu

• Elgies

• Elgise

• Elgiss

• Elgio

• Elgiy

• Elfgift

• Elfge.

These variants are thought to be a result of the various spellings of the Old English personal name Aelfgifu when it was adapted to different languages and cultures. It is interesting to note that some variant spellings of Elgee are found in German and Dutch as well as in English.

Famous people with the name Elgee

• Joseph Elgee: an Australian engineer and inventor who developed the "elgee process" for producing gas from coal.
• Will Elgee: a Canadian physician, medical researcher and professor who rose to prominence during the Spanish Flu epidemic of 1918.
• Bob Elgee: an American sports broadcaster and analyst, best known for his long tenure as the voice of the LA Lakers.
• Dennis Elgee: a British actor who starred in many stage and television productions in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Meg Elgee: an American filmmaker and author whose documentaries on political subjects have earned her numerous awards.
• Susan Elgee: an Australian historian and academic who has written extensively on the political history of New South Wales.
• David Elgee: a British generic engineer who developed new methods of aircraft construction during World War 2.
• Bill Elgee: an American engineer and inventor who has developed several breakthroughs in medical technologies.
• Michael Elgee: a Canadian author and journalist whose work has been published in the Globe and Mail and other periodicals.
• Paul Elgee: an Australian opera singer and stage performer who is best-known for his performances in Rigoletto and The Magic Flute.

Other surnames

EachansonEackerEadEadeEadenEaderEadersEadesEadgeEadieEadonEadsEadunEadyEaeglEagalEagallEaganEagarEagcumEagelEageleEagellEagelsEagerEagertEagleEaglesEaglestonEagleton