The surname Wager, also sometimes spelled as Wagger, appears to be of English origin. It is well-documented in the preserved church records of the Diocese of Greater London, dating back at least to the Elizabethan era and even earlier in Yorkshire. There are several surnames that begin with the Old English word "Wag" from before the 7th century, such as Waghorn and Wagstaff, which were likely given to individuals based on occupations or as suggestive nicknames, similar to those found in the works of Shakespeare.
The noted Victorian etymologist Canon Charles Bardsley wrote in 1880 that the surname Wager likely pertained to someone whose profession involved either paying out wages or receiving a fixed sum as compensation. Early examples of the surname recorded in history include Willelmus Wagur, who appeared in the Poll Tax Rolls of Yorkshire in 1379 alongside his wife Cecilla. However, in this particular case, Willelmus is described as a "smith," which does not necessarily expand the meaning of the surname.
The use of the term "wager" first emerged in the 14th century to describe a promise to pay money. The Oxford English Dictionary classifies it as an Anglo-French word, suggesting that a "wager" might have been someone involved in quasi-legal activities such as arranging liens or mortgages.
The surname Wager may have connections to the German word "Waagemeister" meaning weigher, which ties it to the concept of scales or balances. It could also be an epithet related to recklessness or daring, akin to the term "Waghals."
Various historical sources, such as Hans Bahlow and Kaspar Linnartz, shed light on different interpretations of the surname Wager, connecting it to occupations like Waagenknecht (weighing servant), Waagemeister (weighmaster), and Stadtwäger (city weigher).
According to Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley, the name Wagur may originate from the Teutonic word for "weigher." Other references point to the term "Wageoure," used by Scottish poet Barbour to refer to a mercenary soldier or one who fights for a wage.
The surname Wager has not only been found in England but has also appeared in the United States and British North America as both Wager and Wagir. It remains a significant name, with ties to various occupations and historical contexts.
Overall, the surname Wager carries a rich history, hinting at occupations, promises of payment, and connections to the concept of weighing and balancing. Its etymology provides valuable insights into the lives and livelihoods of those who bore this surname throughout the centuries.
Sources:
- A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames (1896) by Charles Wareing Endell Bardsley
- Surnames of the United Kingdom (1912) by Henry Harrison
- Patronymica Britannica (1860) by Mark Antony Lower
- Ludus Patronymicus (1868) by Richard Stephen Charnock
- British Family Names: Their Origin and Meaning (1903) by Henry Barber
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Meaning of Wager
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