Show ContentsVagges History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Vagges

What does the name Vagges mean?

The Vagges surname is thought to come from Middle English word "fagge," in turn from the Old English "facg," which referred to a type of flat fish, and perhaps also a flat loaf; thus it has been suggested that the name may have been occupational name for a fish seller or a baker. 1

Early Origins of the Vagges family

The surname Vagges was first found in Kent where "this Kentish family were long connected with the parish of Rye, co. Sussex, and perhaps derived their name from lands there, still called Fagg farm. Feg occurs in Domesday [Book]." 2

The Feet of Fines for Kent listed Daniel and William Fagg as holding estates there in 1202. 1 The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 listed Jananna Fag, Somerset and Peter Fag, Oxfordshire. 3

Early History of the Vagges family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Vagges research. Another 163 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1286, 1627, 1645, 1649, 1653, 1673, 1679, 1681, 1690, 1695, 1701, 1702, 1708, 1710, 1715 and 1736 are included under the topic Early Vagges History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Vagges Spelling Variations

The 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. Vagges has been recorded under many different variations, including Fagg, Fag, Fagge, Vagg, Vag, Vagge and others.

Early Notables of the Vagges family

Sir John Fagg, 1st Baronet (1627-1701), an English politician, Member of Parliament for Rye (1645 to 1653), he purchased the manor of Wiston, West Sussex in 1649. He was the son of John Fagg of Rye, Sussex (son of John Fagg of Brenzett, Kent), by his marriage with Miss Elizabeth...
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Vagges Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Vagges family

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 Vagges or a variant listed above: Mary Fagg, who came to Barbados or Jamaica in 1697; Michael Fagg and Kenedy Fagg, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750; and Francis Fagg, who settled in Philadelphia in 1816..



  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)


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