Show ContentsBeag History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Beag come from its first bearer, who was a person who was a peddler, or great traveler. It denotes one who on his travels carried a bag, a pack or a bundle.

Early Origins of the Beag family

The surname Beag was first found in Norfolk, at Gaywood, a parish, in the union and hundred of Freebridge-Lynn. "Gaywood Hall, the seat of Richard Bagge, Esq., occupies the site of a palace erected by John Grey, Bishop of Norwich; and part of the moat by which the old building was surrounded is still remaining." 1

Early History of the Beag family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beag research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1600, 1625, 1800 and 1860 are included under the topic Early Beag History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Beag Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Beag has been spelled many different ways, including Bagg, Bag, Bagge, Beag, Baigg, Baggey, Baggy and many more.

Early Notables of the Beag family

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

Ireland Migration of the Beag family to Ireland

Some of the Beag family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Beag migration to the United States +

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Beags to arrive in North America:

Beag Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Johanna Beag, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1729 2


The Beag Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Spes est in Deo
Motto Translation: My hope is in God.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. 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)


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