Show ContentsAdgate History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The generations and branches of the Adgate family share a name that has its roots in the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. The name Adgate comes from a baptismal name which means Adam. [1] As the naming tradition grew in Europe baptismal names began to be introduced in many countries. Baptismal names were sometimes given in honor of Christian saints and other biblical figures. There are very few Christian countries in Europe that did not adopt surnames from these religious figures.

Early Origins of the Adgate family

The surname Adgate was first found in Lancashire where Adecok Kay was listed in the Assize Rolls for 1246. Later Richard Hadecoc was listed as a Freeman of Leicestershire in 1226 and Robert Adekok was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Worcestershire in 1275. In Staffordshire, John Atkoc was found there in the Subsidy Rolls of 1327. [2]

A popular name in Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 listed Robertus Adcok; Robertus Adkokson; and William Atcock as all holding lands there at that time. [1]

Early History of the Adgate family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Adgate research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1226, 1246, 1311 and 1379 are included under the topic Early Adgate History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Adgate Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Adgate include Adcock, Adecok, Adcockson, Akokson, Hadecock, Hadicock, Adcok, Adecock, Atcock, Addicott and many more.

Early Notables of the Adgate family

More information is included under the topic Early Adgate Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Adgate migration to the United States +

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Adgate or a variant listed above:

Adgate Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Thomas Adgate, who arrived in Connecticut in 1651 [3]

Contemporary Notables of the name Adgate (post 1700) +

  • Matthew Adgate, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly, 1780-85, 1788-89, 1790-91, 1792-95; Delegate to New York convention to ratify U.S. constitution from Columbia County, 1788 [4]
  • George Adgate, American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Clinton County, 1863 [4]
  • Asa Adgate (1767-1832), American Democratic Party politician, Member of New York State Assembly, 1798-99, 1823; Common Pleas Court Judge in New York, 1799; U.S. Representative from New York 12th District, 1815-17 [4]
  • Chester Adgate Congdon (1853-1916), American lawyer and capitalist


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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