Surname Hedger - Meaning and Origin
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Hedger: What does the surname Hedger mean?
The last name Hedger is of English origins and is derived from the Old English occupational title 'hecgere.' It usually denotes a person who was a professional hedger in medieval times. A hedger was a job title given to someone who built or maintained hedges, typically for defining boundary lines or protecting crops from animals, damage or theft. These individuals would plant, cut and maintain hedgerows made up of shrubs or small trees. At the time, the hedges served as fences or barriers in a period when wire fences were not available. People with the surname Hedger are therefore likely to have ancestors who were engaged in the construction and maintenance of hedges. Such surnames that were derived from occupations are quite common, and provide valuable clues to the kind of work our medieval and post-medieval ancestors were engaged in. Today, the name Hedger is found primarily in England and countries where English descendants have immigrated, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Order DNA origin analysisHedger: Where does the name Hedger come from?
The last name Hedger is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is rooted in the old English language. It is derived from an occupation or trade and is associated with someone who was involved in hedge-cutting or fencing. The term "hedge" comes from the Old English word "hecg", which means "an enclosure". Later, the name was adapted to "Hedger".
The surname Hedger is quite uncommon globally. According to the website Forebears, in 2014 there were approximately 3,918 individuals bearing the Hedger surname in the world. Most prominent of the surname Hedger is in England where it likely originated. It is also somewhat common in other English-speaking countries such as the United States and Australia. England remains the country with the highest number of people with the Hedger surname today. It is generally characteristic of those from the southern regions of the United Kingdom where many traditional English surnames come from. Despite its rarity, the name is spread in pockets around the globe, making it a truly international surname.
Variations of the surname Hedger
The surname Hedger is derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century word "hecg", meaning hedge. It was an occupational name given to a hedge cutter or someone living by a hedge. Over the years, through migration, dialect changes, and various other factors, this surname has developed into several variants and spellings.
Common variants include Hedge, Hedger, Hedges, Hedgers, Hedgeman, Hegg, and Hege. The spelling variations typically include additional letters or slightly altered orthography, such as Hedgeman, Hedgar, Hedgarr, and Heger.
Furthermore, it's important to note that many surnames were often spelt phonetically in ancient records, resulting in a single person's name being inconsistantly recorded over their lifetime. Therefore, early English baptisms of people with this surname may be found under various spellings.
In different countries, the surname Hedger may also have different variants that align with the specific language rules. For example, in Germany, it might be found as Heck, mentioned earlier, or Hecke.
Moreover, some families may have changed their surname over time, due to clan or territorial conflicts, cultural assimilation, or other reasons, giving birth to even more possibilities.
Famous people with the name Hedger
- M. E. Hedger: British actress who worked in the early 20th century.
- Williamm Hedger: British landscape artist and architect who worked in the 18th century.
- Sim Hedger: British television and radio actor best known for his work in the TV movie, Tormented.
- John Hedger: English potter who was a member of the Wedgwood family.
- Pat Hedger: English actress who appeared in the Carry On films.
- Dave Hedger: English professional footballer who played as a defender for teams like Nottingham Forest and Port Vale.
- Martin Hedger: English former football manager who served as the manager of Luton Town from 2002 to 2004.
- Ron Hedger: English former professional footballer who played as a right-back for teams such as Stoke City and Blackpool.
- G. A. Hedger: British playwright and screenwriter who wrote plays such as 'The Silver Bird' (1941).
- Dave Hedger: Retired Canadian ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League (NHL).