Show ContentsDoge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Doge name is an important part of the history of the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Doge is derived from the baptismal name Dod, the short form of Roger. 1 Baptismal names began to appear as surnames relatively late in the growth of the naming tradition. This is a little surprising, given the popularity of biblical figures in the Christian countries of Europe. Nevertheless, surnames derived from baptismal names grew in popularity during the Middle Ages, and have become one of the foremost sources for surnames.

Early Origins of the Doge family

The surname Doge was first found in Yorkshire where Doge filius Arnaldi was listed in the Pipe Rolls in 1196. In nearby Lancashire, Wigot filius Doge was listed there in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1214 and later Dogge was listed in the Assize Rolls of 1246. In Gloucestershire, Robert and Nicholas Dogge were listed in the Curia Regis Rolls of 1206. 2

To the south and west, in Stoke-Climsland, Cornwall "Climson belonged formerly to the family of Doidge, who had their seat there." 3

Early History of the Doge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Doge research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1196, 1214, 1515, 1546, 1559, 1583, 1595, 1610, 1620, 1629, 1639, 1650, 1651, 1655, 1656, 1674, 1697 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Doge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Doge Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Doge were recorded, including Dodge, Doidge, Doge, Doige, Doddge, Doges, Dodges, Doidges and many more.

Early Notables of the Doge family

Notables of the family at this time include Leonard Digges (c.1515-c.1559), English mathematician and surveyor, credited with the invention of the theodolite; Sir Thomas Digges (1546-1595), an English mathematician and astronomer; Sir Dudley Digges (c.1583-1639), an English diplomat and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1610 and 1629, known as a "Virginia adventurer," an investor who ventured...
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Doge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Doge family to Ireland

Some of the Doge family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Doge migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Doge family emigrate to North America:

Doge Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • David Doge, who arrived in Virginia in 1650 4

Canada Doge migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Doge Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • John Doge, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749


  1. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  2. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  3. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  4. 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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