Show ContentsGedge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Gedge family

The surname Gedge was first found in Norfolk where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The language of the courts was French for the next three centuries and the Norman ambience prevailed. But Saxon surnames survived and the family name was first referenced in the year 1205 when Thomas Geg held estates.

Early History of the Gedge family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Gedge research. Another 77 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1263, 1455, 1487, 1500, 1508, 1530, 1570 and 1572 are included under the topic Early Gedge History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Gedge Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Gedge include Gedge, Gidge, Gigg, Gegg, Ginge, Genge and others.

Early Notables of the Gedge family

Distinguished members of the family include Margaret Giggs (1508-1570), birth name of Margaret Clement or Clements, understood to be one of the most educated women of the Tudor era. Born in Norfolk, her father was a gentleman but enlisted the aid of Sir Thomas More, who brought her up from a child with his own daughters. In 1530, she...
Another 59 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Gedge Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Gedge migration to Australia +

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

Gedge Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Augustus Gedge, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Sibella" in 1850 1

Gedge migration to New Zealand +

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:

Gedge Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mrs. Anne Gedge, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 2
  • Miss Mary Anne Gedge, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 2
  • Miss M. J. Gedge, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 2
  • Miss Anne M. Gedge, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 2
  • Mr. Thomas Gedge, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Joseph Fletcher" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 18th August 1859 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Gedge (post 1700) +

  • Sydney Gedge (1802-1883), English divine, the youngest son of Peter Gedge of Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk
  • David Lewis Gedge (b. 1960), English musician and song writer
  • Pauline Gedge (b. 1945), award-winning and best-selling Canadian novelist


  1. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SIBELLA 1850. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1850Sibella.gif
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook