Surname Wag - Meaning and Origin
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Wag: What does the surname Wag mean?
The last name Wag is of English derivation and is thought to have derived from various other surnames, including Wagg, Wagger, Wagstaff, and Waggoner. The root origin of these names is believed to lie in the Middle English word “waggen,” meaning “to move from side to side” or “to sway.”
This wiggling or swaying motion is thought to refer to the shake of a wagon cart or the sway of a person's gait. It is likely, then, that the surname Wag originated as a nickname for someone whose manner of walking was described as such. This term may have been used as a means of mockery, or it could have been adopted more affectionately, such as for a wagon driver who regularly traveled the same route.
Other theories suggest that the surname Wag could also have arisen as an occupational name for a wagon builder or wagon driver, or as an ethnic name associating a person with the Wagrian people, an ethnic group that settled in northern Germany in the 11th century.
Overall, the surname Wag is thought to have several possible origins, all of which are tied to a person's gait, occupation, or ethnic background. Its connotations of movement or of an individual’s rootedness within a specific region may have been meant to be indications of their character and livelihood.
Order DNA origin analysisWag: Where does the name Wag come from?
The last name Wag is common in several areas of Europe and the United States. In Europe, the last name is most associated with Germany and Austria. In the United States, the last name is most commonly found in the Midwest and middle Atlantic states. According to the US Census Bureau, the states with the most people named Wag in 2020 were New York, Pennsylvania, California, Illinois, and Florida.
In Germany, the last name Wag is particularly common in the states of Bavaria and Saxony, though it's also seen in regions such as Schleswig-Holstein, Nordrhein-Westfalen, and Hesse. In Austria, the moniker is relatively more frequently found in the states of Vienna, Upper Austria, and Styria.
Due to immigration, the surname Wag can also be seen around the world in other countries, although it is much less common compared to the concentration levels in Europe and America. Overall, the surname is thought to be derived from the German and Dutch words Wag, indicating a humble, honest character as well as someone with an affinity for nature.
Variations of the surname Wag
The surname Wag is believed to be a short form of Wagner, and is mainly found in Germany and European countries. The variants, spellings, and alternative surnames associated with Wag are Wagg, Waggon, Wagner, Wegg, Waage, Wegh, Waggen, Wagens, Wager, Waggen, Wagens and Waggers.
Wag is primarily derived from the Low German form "wagen" meaning "wagon" or carrier. The occupational origins of the name are related to wheelwrights and wagoners, who were responsible for making and transporting wagons. In Germany, Wagner was the most popular form of the name, while Wagg and Waggen were the most popular forms of the name in England.
The surnames Wag and Wagner have spread to other parts of the world since the mid-1800s due to emigration from Germany. The waves of emigration also created a number of new variations, such as Wagener in the United States, Wagemann in South America, and Wagenaar in the Netherlands.
In the United Kingdom, a number of distinct branches of the Wag surname have emerged. William Wag of Hertfordshire in 1598 was the first recorded instance of the name in England. Other Wags in England can trace their ancestry back to Derbyshire, East Sussex, Kent and Lancashire, while Waggers in Yorkshire can trace their roots back to the East Riding.
The variant spellings of Wag indicate its relationship to the German form Wagner, which can also be spelled Wagoner, Wegger, Wagen, Wagener, Waagen, Wagener, Waggener, Wadener, Wegener, and Weggen.
Famous people with the name Wag
- Christoph wag: Christoph Wag is a German-born martial arts actor and stuntman who has appeared in a number of action films such as Die Hard 2, The Transporter, and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.
- Andrew Wag: Andrew Wag is an American actor best known for his role as "Digger" in the TV series Heroes.
- Jerry Wag: Jerry Wag is an American bass player who has played with bands such as Guns N' Roses, Easy E, Spooky Tooth, and Little Feat.
- Bill Wag: William "Bill" Wag is a German footballer and coach who currently manages TSV 1860 Munich II and the German under-19 national team.
- Sarah Wag: Sarah Wag is an American equestrian vaulter who has won numerous awards and titles, including the World Championships in 2006.
- Brandon Wag: Brandon Wag is an American film and television actor who has appeared in projects such as Suits, The Mindy Project, and House of Lies.
- Fred Wag: Fred Wag is an American movie and television writer, producer, and director who has worked on projects like The X-Files, Justified, and Leverage.
- Margarete Wag: Margarete Wag is a German artist and one of the founders of the influential Bauhaus Movement.
- Harry Wag: Harry Wag is an Australian singer-songwriter who has released several albums and been a member of various bands.
- Barry Wag: Barry Wag is an American entrepreneur and the founder of the online company Quartermaster Trading Co.