Agate is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the ancient personal name Eggar.
The surname Agate was first found in Lancashire in the north of England, where they held a family seat from ancient times, but from about the 13th century moved south to Foston in Derbyshire, and Sudbury, in the same county.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Agate research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1516, 1613, 1701, 1540, 1615, 1540 and 1627 are included under the topic Early Agate History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Agate have been found, including Agard, Aggard, Aegard, Agart, Aggart, Egard and many more.
Distinguished members of the family include Mabel Agard of Foston; and Étienne Agard de Champs (Dechamps) (1613-1701), a French Jesuit theologian and author.
Arthur Agard or Agarde (1540-1615), was a distinguished antiquary and deputy-chamberlain in the Exchequer, was descended from an ancient Derbyshire family. He...
Another 44 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Agate Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Agate family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 69 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Agate, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :