The origins of the Anglo-Saxon name Beag come from its first bearer, who was a person who was a peddler, or great traveler. It denotes one who on his travels carried a bag, a pack or a bundle.
The surname Beag was first found in Norfolk, at Gaywood, a parish, in the union and hundred of Freebridge-Lynn. "Gaywood Hall, the seat of Richard Bagge, Esq., occupies the site of a palace erected by John Grey, Bishop of Norwich; and part of the moat by which the old building was surrounded is still remaining." [1]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Beag research. Another 114 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1625, 1800, 1600 and 1860 are included under the topic Early Beag History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Beag has been spelled many different ways, including Bagg, Bag, Bagge, Beag, Baigg, Baggey, Baggy and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early Beag Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Beag family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Beags to arrive in North America: