Yager History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany

In the ancient German province of Westphalia, the surname Yager evolved. It is a nickname, a style of hereditary surname that developed out of the traditional German eke-names, that identified people by naming them after a physical characteristic or other identifiable trait. Yager is a name for a person who was known for his prowess and wisdom as a hunter. The name Yager is derived from the German word "jage," which is derived from Old German word "jagen," which means "to hunt." Hunting was considered a knightly pursuit during the feudal era.

Early Origins of the Yager family

The surname Yager was first found in the county of Mark (Dortmund,) where the family was anciently associated with the political and religious conflicts of the area. They declared allegiances to many nobles and princes of early history, lending their influence in struggles for power and status within the region. The family founded numerous branches, many of which acquired manors and estates in surrounding regions, where they contributed to the prosperity of their society. Ancient chronicles first mention a branch of the family acquiring the estates of Kaackstedt and Ringenwalde in the district of Templin around 1376, and the estate of Zehlendorf in the district of Nieder-Barnim, around 1451. Venator, the Latin form of the name, often appears in chronicles in place of Jaeger.

Early History of the Yager family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Yager research. Another 336 words (24 lines of text) covering the years 1678, 1698, 1771, 1780 and 1843 are included under the topic Early Yager History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Yager Spelling Variations

One can encounter great variation in the spelling of surnames: in early times, spelling in general, and thus the spelling of names was not yet standardized; and later, spellings would change with branching and movement of families. Variations of the name Yager include Jaeger, Jeger, Jager, Jaegger, Jegger, Jagger, Jaegers, Jagers, Jaggers, Jaeggers and many more.

Early Notables of the Yager family

Notables of the period with the name Yager were Heinrich Christroph Jaeger, who was a professor of law in Passau and Privy Councillor and royal advisor to the Prince...
Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Yager Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Yager Ranking

In the United States, the name Yager is the 5,212^nd most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1

Yager migration to the United States +

Many Germans emigrated across the Atlantic to seek better lives in North America. This great migration began in the middle of the 17th century and continued into the 20th century. Resettlement was particularly attractive to those from Westphalia as a means of escape from poverty and religious persecution. For many Westphalian farmers, the chance to own one's own land was also a major incentive. The process of the widespread colonization of the United States began in 1650, when many immigrants from Germany settled in pockets in Pennsylvania, Texas, New York, Illinois, and California. In Canada, German settlements centered around Ontario and the Prairie provinces. Among them:

Yager Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Hendrick Yager, who landed in New Jersey in 1730 2
Johannes Yager, who landed in New Jersey in 1730 2
Johannes Peter Yager, who landed in New Jersey in 1730 2
John Caspar Yager, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1761 2
John Casper Yager, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1761 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Yager Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Yager, who arrived in Maryland in 1817 2
Caroline Yager, who landed in Maryland in 1818 2
P Yager, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1851 2
Charles T Yager, who landed in Texas in 1860 2
Joseph Yager, who landed in Ohio in 1873 2
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Yager migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Yager Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Henry W Yager, who landed in Canada in 1830
Johannes Yager, aged 65, who arrived in Quebec in 1893
Charlotte Yager, aged 17, who arrived in Quebec in 1893
Henriette Yager, aged 20, who arrived in Quebec in 1893

Contemporary Notables of the name Yager (post 1700) +

Anne Judson Yager (b. 1980), American screen actress
William Overall Yager (1833-1904), American soldier during the American Civil War, initially the major and commanding officer of Yager's Third Battalion Texas Mounted Volunteers
Ken Yager (b. 1947), American State Senator from Tennessee
Richard Sidney Yager (1909-1995), American cartoonist
Jamie Yager (b. 1983), American professional mixed martial artist
Henry Yager (b. 1874), Australian rules footballer
Henry Wandal Yager (1802-1860), Canadian farmer, businessman and political figure
Arthur Yager (1858-1941), served as Governor of Puerto Rico from 1913 to 1921

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
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)