Eager History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of EagerWhat does the name Eager mean? The ancient Anglo-Saxon surname Eager came from a group of baptismal surnames which all mean the son of Eggar or the son of Agar. "Probably a form of Algar, a Domesday personal name, and very popular for several centuries." 1 "Aighear signifies gladness, joy, gayety. If from the Latin ager, it denotes a field or land." 2 Early Origins of the Eager familyThe surname Eager was first found in the counties of Yorkshire and Northumberland, where they held a family seat from ancient times. "The Agars, an old York family of the 17th and 18th centuries, gained considerable estate by trade and founded a hospital in that city. Thomas Agar, tanner, was lord mayor of York in 1618, and the same office was filled by Thomas Agar, woollen draper, in 1724. Agar is still a York name." 4 Early History of the Eager familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Eager research. Another 35 words (2 lines of text) covering the years 1672, 1703, 1713, 1714, 1715, 1727, 1733 and 1782 are included under the topic Early Eager History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Eager Spelling VariationsThe English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Eager has been recorded under many different variations, including Agar, Algar, Alger, Algore, Augar, Auger, Elger, Elgar, Eager, Eagar, Etches, Eaches and many more. Early Notables of the Eager familyNotables of this surname at this time include:
Eager RankingIn the United States, the name Eager is the 11,392nd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5 Migration of the Eager family to IrelandSome of the Eager family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Eager or a variant listed above: Eager Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Eager Settlers in United States in the 18th CenturyEager Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Eager Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: Eager Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Eager Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
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: Spectemur agendo Motto Translation: Let us be judged by our actions.
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