George Surname Meaning & Origin
What the George last name means, where the surname began and where it was first recorded.
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Meaning and origin of the George last name
Meaning of the George last name: from Greek Geōrgios, "farmer". George comes from Greek Geōrgios, from geōrgos, "farmer, worker of the earth". The cult of Saint George, the soldier martyr, grew after the Crusades, and he became patron of England in the 14th century. The name was not common as a first name until later, so the surname is relatively rare in early records. It is frequent in Wales and Cornwall, where patronymic surnames were taken late, and in the West Country. In Scotland, the surname George is found in the north-east, and in Ireland it was used by settlers of English and Welsh origin. The French form Georges and the German Georg are also surnames. George families emigrated to the American colonies, especially Virginia and Pennsylvania, and later to Australia.
Our historical archives hold much more on the George name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the George name in Wales. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as England, the United States and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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George name FAQ
What does the George name mean?
From Greek Geōrgios, "farmer". Common variants include Georges, Jorge, Giorgi.
Where does the George surname come from?
It originates in Wales, and is also found in England, the United States and Australia.
Is there a George coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single George crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized George coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.