Surname Wager - Meaning and Origin
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Wager: What does the surname Wager mean?
The surname Wager is of Old Danish and Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English pre 7th century personal name 'Wagar.' It is a metonymic occupational name for a money lender or an official who was in charge of the payment of wages. It is believed to have derived from the old Norse word "vega" or the old German "Wegan," both meaning to weigh or balance and later, to pay. It is prevalent in Northern European countries, particularly in England and Germany. Over the centuries, it has many variations including Wager, Weger, Wegere, and Wagers among others. Like many other surnames, the spelling and pronunciation have evolved and changed over time. Though not a common surname, it is shared by several notable people, indicating its spread across different regions and professions.
Order DNA origin analysisWager: Where does the name Wager come from?
The last name Wager is found in countries around the world. The United States is home to the highest concentration of people with the last name Wager, with roughly 1,200 people bearing the name. The highest concentration outside of the U.S. is in Germany, with more than 1,000 people with the last name living in the country. Other countries with high numbers of Wagers include England, Canada, Scotland and Ireland.
The Wager surname’s roots are believed to be English and German. The surname may have Germanic origins derived from the word “wahger” which meant “battler” or “warrior”. Alternatively, other linguists suggest that the Wager name may have come from a place name, such as the Old English term “Weogar” which describes a person from Wigan, a small town in Lancashire, England.
Today, people with the last name Wager are predominantly found in English-speaking countries. Within the U.S., the highest concentrations of Wager are in northeastern states such as Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Maryland. In recent years, some Wagers from the U.S. have emigrated to Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
The last name Wager is a testament to a legacy of resilience and strength that has traveled around the world throughout history.
Variations of the surname Wager
The surname Wager can be spelled in several different ways, including Wager, Wagerer, Wagger, Wagar, Waggoner, Wagarman, Waggeler, Wagener, Wagenerman, Wagners, Wagererman, Wagarmann, Wagnermann, and Wagman. These various surnames are believed to originate from either the Old English word 'waegshere' meaning a weigher, or 'waeg' meaning weight in Old Saxon. It is also possible that the surnames originated from the Old German word 'wahger' meaning competitive, as it could have been taken on as a nickname by someone engaged in competitive sports.
In England, the surname Wager is a very old and respected name. It first appeared in records as either Wagar or Wagner in the 12th and 13th centuries. As time passed, the surname went through various spellings and eventually settled on Wager. However there are still some areas in England where the older spellings of the surname remain, such as in Lincolnshire.
The surname Wagar is also common throughout German-speaking countries and can be traced to the 13th century. The spelling of Wagar is believed to have originated from Old German, and it is still a very popular surname in Germany today.
The surname Wager and its variations can also be found in places such as the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States. In the United States, the surname is most often found in New York, which has seen a large influx of immigrants from German-speaking countries.
Overall, the surname Wager is believed to have originated from either Old English or Old German and has gone through various spellings and variants throughout the centuries. Today it is a very popular surname in England, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Wager
- Julie Wager: American actress who is best known for her role as Emma Watson on the NBC show “My Name is Earl”.
- Fred Wager: German Olympic skier who competed in three Winter Olympic Games.
- Clifford Wager: An American actor best known for his roles in "The Karate Kid Part II" and the cult classic "Howard the Duck".
- Jennifer Wager: A female Canadian professional basketball player.
- Jon Wager: An environmentalist and environmental policy expert who founded the Wager Institute, a think tank focused on global environmental issues.
- Ann Marie Wager: An American country singer who won the Academy of Country Music's best-selling album of the year award in 2010.
- Dick Wager: A former Australian rules footballer who played in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
- Sarah Wager: A British film actress, best known for her work on various TV programs such as Ant & Dec's Saturday Night in Quizmania and Children in Need.
- Kevin Wager: An American actor, best known for his role in the comedy film Bigger Than Life.
- Edward Wager: An actor best known for his recurring role in the ABC television series Lost.