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Hager History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Hager History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
Germany
Scotland
England

The ancestors of the Hager family were part of an ancient Scottish tribe called the Picts. The name Hager is derived from the Gaelic form Mac-an-t-sagairt, which means son of the priest. Patronymic names often substituted the name of a saint or other revered religious figure in place of a devout bearer's actual father. However, the patronym Hager often denotes actual paternity in this case, since the marriage of clerics in minor orders was permissible, although the marriage of priests was declared illegal and invalid during the 12th century.

The etymology of the name is much in debate. One source notes the "family are supposed to be derived from the Ogards of co. Hertfordshire." or the name "Haggard is a corruption of "hay-garth," a rick yard, and is so employed in Hall and Holinshed, as well as in several provincial dialects, but most probably, an ancient baptismal name which occurs in Domesday as Acard and Acardus." 1

Early Origins of the Hager family

The surname Hager was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

The Scottish branch of the family was recorded quite late as "the name occurs in Suffolk in thirteenth century as Hacgard." 2 3

One of the first records of the family was found in Worcestershire, England where Alice Haggard was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of 1275. 4 In this case, the name may have been derived from the Middle English and Old French word hagard which means 'wild, untamed.'

Early History of the Hager family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Hager research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1723 is included under the topic Early Hager History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Hager Spelling Variations

The appearance of the printing press and the first dictionaries in the last few hundred years did much to standardize spelling. Prior to that time scribes spelled according to sound, a practice that resulted in many spelling variations. Hager has been spelled Haggard, Hagard, Hagger, Hagart, Haggart, Hager and many more.

Early Notables of the Hager family

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

Hager Ranking

In the United States, the name Hager is the 1,583^rd most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 5

Hager migration to the United States +

The expense of the crossing to the North American colonies seemed small beside the difficulties of remaining in Scotland. It was a long and hard trip, but at its end lay the reward of freedom. Some Scots remained faithful to England and called themselves United Empire Loyalists, while others fought in the American War of Independence. Much of this lost Scottish heritage has been recovered in the last century through Clan societies and other patriotic Scottish organizations. A search of immigration and passenger lists revealed many important, early immigrants to North America bearing the name of Hager:

Hager Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Fredrick Hager who arrived in New York state between 1709 and 1710

Hager Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Ambrose Hager, who settled in Ohio sometime between 1809 and 1852
Christopher Hager who arrived in Baltimore in 1828
Gottfried Hager who arrived in New York City in 1837
Andreas Hager, who arrived in New York, NY in 1849
A. Hager who arrived in San Francisco in 1850
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Hager Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Alexander Emil Hager, who settled in New York in 1910

Hager migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Hager Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Ambroise Hager, who settled in Canada in 1839

Hager migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Hager Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Eduard Hager, aged 40, a farmer, who arrived in South Australia in 1848 aboard the ship "Pauline" 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Hager (post 1700) +

Bill Hager (1947-2021), American politician from Florida who served four terms in the Florida House of Representatives as a Republican, representing parts of coastal Palm Beach County from 2010 to 2018
John Henry Hager (1936-2020), American politician, 37th Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1998 to 2002
William C. Hager, American politician, Social Democratic Candidate for New York State Assembly from Kings County 4th District, 1903 7
Walter E. Hager, American politician, Member of Nebraska State Senate, 1917 7
T. C. Hager, American politician, Candidate for U.S. Senator from Kansas, 1936 7
Shirley Hager, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Florida, 2004 7
S. W. Hager, American Democratic Party politician, Kentucky Democratic State Chair, 1916-18 7
Samuel Hager, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Philadelphia County, 1871 7
S. S. Hager, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Wayne County, 1887-90 7
Robert Hager, American politician, Member of West Virginia State House of Delegates from Boone County, 1863-64, 1868; Member of West Virginia State Senate 8th District, 1866-67 7
... (Another 51 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Hager family +

Bismarck

Werner Hager (1920-1988), German Matrosenobergefreiter serving aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he survived the sinking 8
Johann Hager (1920-1941), German Matrosenobergefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 8
Heinz Hager (1920-1941), German Maschinengefreiter who served aboard the German Battleship Bismarck during World War II when it was sunk heading to France; he died in the sinking 8

The Hager 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: Modeste conabor
Motto Translation: I will attempt moderately.

Citations +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) PAULINE 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848Pauline.htm
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 30) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
Bismarck & Tirpitz Class - Crew List Bismarck. (Retrieved 2018, February 06). Retrieved from https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/crew/bismarck_crew.html#crew_details