| ![Show Contents]() Gaiger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The history of the Gaiger family name begins after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived person who worked as the local assayer, who would determine weights and measures. The surname has another occupational origin which suggests that the bearer worked as a money lender, which was taken from the Old French word gage, which literally means a pledge. Early Origins of the Gaiger familyThe surname Gaiger was first found in Gaugy, Normandy where Ralph de Gaugy was listed there in 1180. Various versions of the name were listed including Gauchi, Gaugi, and Gaacy in L'Aigle, Normandy about the same time. The first record on the name in England was Warin de Gaacy (Wacy) in Bedfordshire in 1140. A few years later, Ralph de Gauchi (Gaugi) held a fief in Northumberland by marriage in 1165 and in the same year, Robert de Gaugi was Baron of Slesmouth, again in Northumberland. The latter's brother, Roger de Gauchi was granted the ownership of Argentan Castle and Forest by King John in 1203. 1 The parish of Alciston in Sussex was another ancient family seat. "This manor was given, with others, to Battle Abbey by the Conqueror, whose grant was confirmed by Henry I.: on the surrender of the abbey, in 1539, the king became seised of the lordship, and gave it to Sir John Gage and Philippa his wife, to hold in capite by knight's service. Alciston Place was occupied by an ancestor of the present Lord Gage in 1585." 2 At one time, Burstow, Surrey was another stronghold of the family. "Burstow-Court Lodge became, in the 15th century, the property of the Gages, of whom was Sir John Gage, K. G., a distinguished military officer in the reigns of Henry VIII. and Edward VI.; the family sold the property in 1613." 2 Early History of the Gaiger familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gaiger research. Another 133 words (10 lines of text) covering the years 1269, 1479, 1556, 1596, 1621, 1633, 1642, 1654, 1656, 1660, 1682, 1691, 1695, 1699, 1700, 1702, 1722, 1744, 1754 and 1934 are included under the topic Early Gaiger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Gaiger Spelling VariationsAnglo-Norman names are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. When the Normans became the ruling people of England in the 11th century, they introduced a new language into a society where the main languages of Old and later Middle English had no definite spelling rules. These languages were more often spoken than written, so they blended freely with one another. Contributing to this mixing of tongues was the fact that medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, ensuring that a person's name would appear differently in nearly every document in which it was recorded. The name has been spelled Gage, Gauge and others. Early Notables of the Gaiger familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir John Gage (1479-1556), Vice Chamberlain of England to Henry VIII, who began the line of the Gage family of Firle Place; Thomas Gage (circa 1596-1656), English Catholic missionary who traveled in Mexico and Central America, and whose written accounts encouraged English exploration; Francis Gage (1621-1682), an English Roman Catholic priest, President of the English College, Douai; Sir...
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gaiger Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Gaiger family to Ireland
Some of the Gaiger family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 66 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Gaiger migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Gaiger Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Henry Gaiger, aged 22, a blacksmith, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Caroline" 3
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: Courage sans peur
Motto Translation: Courage without fear.
- The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- South Australian Register Thursday 26th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Caroline 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/caroline1855.shtml
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Gaiger migration to Australia 
England
Ireland
