HEDGE
Hedge is an English surname derived from the Old English word hecg, meaning a hedge or a fence of hawthorn. The name was originally a topographic designation for a person who lived near such a boundary or a natural enclosure. In medieval England, a hedge served as a clear physical limit between two parcels of land, and those dwelling adjacent to it were identified as belonging to that hedge.
The earliest recorded spellings of the surname appear in the early fifteenth century: written as Heyheg in the Charter Rolls of 1251, then as Heyhegge in the Feudal Aids of 1330, Heege in 1471 and Heegge in 1485. Later examples include Robert atte Hegge (1256), Richard de Hegges (1296) and Roger in the Hegg (1327). The first documented personal use of the form Hedge is recorded for Wilinus Hedge, who was christened on 26 February 1571 at All Saints in Derbyshire, a county where numerous early entries survive.
There is a second possible source of the name from Derbyshire places such as Heage or High Edge. These place‑names are derived from the Old English hea‑ecg, meaning a high ridge or edge, and the surname may have been adopted by inhabitants of these locales. The transition from the placename to the family name is evident in the medieval records cited above.
Over time the spelling of the name has varied. Recordings include Hedges, Hegge, Heggie and Edges. Occupational variants, such as Hedger and Hedgeman, also appear in the historical record, indicating a possible association with the maintenance or cutting of hedges.
In contemporary usage the surname Hedge is found in England, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada, though no single region shows a significantly high concentration. It is generally well known in English‑speaking countries but does not appear to be heavily concentrated in any particular area.
Although the English form originates from Old English, a Germanic variant of the surname exists, deriving from Hecke which carries a similar meaning of a hedge. This separate origin is distinct from the English medieval lineage and should not be conflated with it in genealogical research.
Other surnames containing the element Hedge include Hedgecock and Hedgepeth. These names share the same base element and may have risen through similar processes of topographic or occupational identification, though they constitute independent family lines.
Typical given names associated with the Hedge surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Nicholas
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Barbara
- Emma
- Judith
- Julie
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Ruth
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Hedges
- Hadges
- Hedger
- Headge
- Heddge
- Hadge
- Headges
- Hadgie
- Hedgen
- Hegde
- Haage
- Haaji
- Hage
- Hagee
- Hagi
- Hagie
- Hagiu
- Haige
- Haj
- Haja
- Haje
- Hajee
- Haji
- Hajj
- Hajji
- Hajo
- Hauge
- Hauige
- Haujee
- Heage
- Hedgers
- Hedgis
- Hege
- Hegi
- Hegie
- Hegyes
- Heij
- Hejj
- Hejja
- Hidge
- Hij
- Hoage
- Hodge
- Hoge
- Hoidge
- Hoij
- Hoj
- Hoja
- Hooge
- Houge
- Hougie
- Huagie
- Hudge
- Huge
- Hugee
- Hugi
- Huja
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Hedge in...
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There are approximately 973 people named Hedge in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,533rd most common surname in Britain. Around 15 in a million people in Britain are named Hedge.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Hedge
- Trevor Hedge - Speedway rider
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.