Surname Pegg - Meaning and Origin

Pegg: What does the surname Pegg mean?

The surname Pegg is an Anglicized form of the Old Norse personal name Pétr, which derived from Greek “petros” meaning “rock”. It was popular among Scandinavian settlers of England and Scotland and became a surname in the late 13th century. Since its introduction to the British Isles, the surname Pegg has spread across the globe.

The Peggs were mainly affluent farmers or craftsmen, who were respected in the English countryside as landowners, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders. Most of the first record holders of the surname Pegg were wealthy landholders and strong pillars of their villages, trading essential products between local merchants.

Peggs were also found in the British military, participating in the Boar War, the First and Second World Wars, and even the American Revolution. Throughout the British Empire, the Peggs had a great influence. The surname Pegg was also popular among the British military due to the number of commissioned officers from the family.

The Peggs have been and remain to this day a proud and respected line of people. They continue to contribute to their local and international communities, and will always be remembered as a respected line of global citizens.

Pegg: Where does the name Pegg come from?

The surname Pegg is known to originate in England and is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is thought to be a nickname for someone who enjoyed eating eggs, or who was of a mischievous nature. It was particularly common in the West Midlands, although can be found in several areas in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

The Pegg surname is most common in the West Midlands of England today, particularly in Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and the Black Country, but is also present in other parts of the UK, such as Greater Manchester, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, and Derbyshire. Outside of the UK, Pegg is mainly found in Australia and the United States. In the US, the surname is concentrated particularly in Ohio and Pennsylvania, although can be found in many other states.

The Pegg name reflects a piece of England's history and is part of an ever-growing list of surnames that are still well-known today. With many variations on spelling, or variations that have developed over time, the Pegg surname can be seen a reminder of how different times have shaped different families.

Variations of the surname Pegg

The surname Pegg is of ancient English origin and can be found in records as far back as the 13th century. It is derived from the Old English pre-7th century personal name of 'Peca', a short form of 'Peaccea', which is a byname meaning 'pointed-tip'. Variants and spellings of the surname include Peche, Peachey, Peg, Pegg, Peggs, Pegge, Peggee, Peggett, and Pig.

The most common variant of the surname is Pegge, which first appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Kent in 1327. In the modern day, this variant is most commonly found in Essex, Berkshire and Surrey. Pegg is the second most common variant, which is mainly found in Yorkshire. Another variant is Peggs, which is the 19th century form of the name and is widely found throughout the midlands, as well as parts of Scotland and Cumberland.

The surname Peggett is a rare variant which can mainly be found in the southern part of England. It is derived from the diminutive form of the name Pegg. Another variant which can found mainly in the Midlands is Peachey, which is a variant of the Middle English ‘pesche’ meaning ‘peach-coloured hair’.

Finally, the surname Pig is another variant of Pegg. It is of North German origin, and derived from the Middle Low German word ‘pigen’. This variant is mainly found in the eastern counties of England.

Famous people with the name Pegg

• Simon Pegg: An English actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for his roles in Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and the Mission: Impossible film series, as well as his appearances on British sitcoms such as Spaced.
• Thomas Pegg: An English lawyer, cricketer, and Conservative politician who served as a Member of Parliament from 1910 to 1923.
• J.J. Pegg: A British air racer who competed in a series of air races between 1929 and 1933.
• Sydney Pegg: An English author and journalist, known for his writings on social issues such as the First World War, poverty and the Irish question.
• Elizabeth Pegg: An English painter and philanthropist who was active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Russell Pegg: A British politician who served as Deputy Leader of Derby City Council from 2014 to 2018.
• Jacob Pegg: A British actor who played the role of Albert in the Charlie Chaplin silent film "The Gold Rush."
• Stephen Pegg: An English molecular biologist who specialises in the study of ciliates.
• Keith Pegg: An English footballer who made over 200 appearances for Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United during a playing career spanning five decades.
• Peter Pegg: A British actor best known for his Broadway roles as Captain Hook in Peter Pan and Francis Flute in A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Other surnames

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