Surname Wage - Meaning and Origin
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Wage: What does the surname Wage mean?
The last name Wage is a German/Swiss/Austrian occupational surname derived from the word 'wage,' meaning 'pledge.' The surname was most likely given to someone who used their personal pledge as a form of payment or commitment to a contract. It could also refer to an individual who held a lending or banking role, receiving a wage or a share of the profits in return for their services.
In some cases, the surname may have referred to someone in a military role who received wages in lieu of their service. Alternatively, the Wage surname may have been given to people who worked in some kind of trade, such as weaving or blacksmithing. It is possible that these people were paid by a wage, rather than by bartering or trading.
The origin of the Wage surname is rooted in old German, being derived from the Middle High German 'wage.' This term was used to mean a pledge or deposit given as earnest money in order to bind a contract or agreement. It could also refer to occupancy tax, or even the wages paid to soldiers and sailors.
The spelling of the surname has changed over time, from Wag to Wegg to Veg to Vage to Wage, and variations of that spelling still exist today. The surname is quite common in German speaking regions, and can be found throughout Europe and the United States.
While the origin of the last name Wage is unclear, it is possible to speculate that those who bore the name were either involved in some kind of trade, or it may have been applied to those who received wages for their services.
Order DNA origin analysisWage: Where does the name Wage come from?
The last name Wage is commonly found today in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and in the countries of the former Yugoslavia such as Serbia and Croatia. In Germany, it is mostly concentrated in the regions of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, and the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. The family name Wage likely originates from the Old High German word “wahe”, which means “desire” or “deed”.
While no one is certain of the origin of the name, it is believed that it could have been originally used as a byname for someone who frequently demonstrated ambition or restlessness in foreign areas. Alternatively, it may have been modified from other similar names such as Wagner, Wagnerin, or Wagenhelm.
Today, the name Wage is also found in smaller numbers in Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United States. It is estimated that its current total global population is around 12,000 people. It is one of the most common of all surnames found in German-speaking areas. The variant Waag is found in the Netherlands, while Waggen is found in the United States.
Variations of the surname Wage
The surname Wage has many variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. In England, there are variations like Wagey, Waygo, Waig, Weig, Wigge, Wigg, and Wygge. In Germany, the surname Wage can be spelled Wagner, Wagener, Wagenvogel, Wagen, and Wagener. In the Nordic countries, there are variations like Waage, Vaage, and Vage. In Netherlands, the surname Wage can be spelled as Wagenmaker and Wagemaekers, and similarly in Belgium this surname can be found as Wagemans.
Apart from the variations, some surnames that share the same origin as Wage in many countries include Wagg, who is derived from the Middle English "wagge" or "waggonmaker," and Waechter, whose origin is from a German word that means 'guardian.' In French, the surname Wage is found as Vaquier, which is derived from the Latin word 'vacarius' which means 'cattle driver.'
In Scotland, the surname Wage is found as MacGugan or MacGugen. This surname is derived from an Old Scots term 'mac googen', which means 'son of the roebuck.' It can also be found as Gugan, McGugan, and Magugan.
Similarly, in Ireland, the surname Wage is found as Magowan, which is an Anglicization of a Gaelic Irish surname Mac Gobhainn, representing 'son of the smith.' This is the same origin as the Scottish name Magugan.
Overall, there are many different variations and spelling of the surname Wage that share the same origin.
Famous people with the name Wage
- Uwe Wägse, former German representative to the United Nations
- David Wage, an American contemporary visual artist
- Meredith Wages, an American composer whose works have been performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra
- Klara Wägele, a German stage and film actress
- Danny Wage, an actor from Australia appearing in the television series “Neighbours”
- Morten Wåge, a Norwegian mathematician and professor
- Andrew Wages, a British screenwriter and director
- Steve Wage, an American musical artist who writes and performs acoustic rock and was nominated for the Georgia Music Award
- Alan Wages, an American sound engineer and record producer who has worked with Aerosmith, Rush, and Aretha Franklin, among others
- Rupert Wages, an American multi-instrumental musician and songwriter