Surname Eagle - Meaning and Origin

Emerging Threads from My DNA Tapestry: Tracing The Journey of the Eagle Surname Through Time and Geography

Through my iGENEA DNA test, I've acquired a deeper understanding of the origin and journey of the surname Eagle. The results portray a strong link with Celtic societies, underpinned by the prominent presence of haplogroup R1b in Western Europe, specifically within areas historically known for their Celtic influence.

Z. Eagle

Eagle: What does the surname Eagle mean?

The surname Eagle is of English origin and is derived from the bird, 'eagle'. It is believed to be a metonymic occupational name for a bird keeper or a nickname relating to someone who exhibited characteristics of an eagle, such as sharp eyesight or a majestic bearing. The bird was often regarded as a symbol of power, bravery, and nobility during the medieval period, thus it is possible that this surname was also bestowed upon individuals who showed these traits. The name could have been inspired by a house sign or public inn as well, as it was common practice in the Middle Ages for houses and inns to be named after animals. This surname has several variants such as Eagles, Eagell, Eagel, and Egle. As individual and family names became more standardized, Eagle became a common surname in England and later spread to other English-speaking countries.

Eagle: Where does the name Eagle come from?

The surname Eagle is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English pre 7th Century word "egle", meaning a "corner" of land. The original bearer of the surname likely lived or worked on a corner of land, such as a bend in a road or river. There are also instances where Eagle can be an occupational surname for someone who raised or hunted eagles. It first appeared in records in Cambridgeshire, England, during the 13th century.

The surname also found in Ireland where it is an anglicized form of Gaelic Ó hÉilghe "descendant of Éilghe", a personal name derived from "éilge" meaning "claim".

Today, Eagle remains a relatively uncommon surname. Its highest concentrations are found in the United States, England, and Canada, with smaller concentrations in Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In the United States, it is most common in the states of New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Variations of the surname Eagle

Eagle, a surname of English origin, has variations that aren't as common. These may include Egle, Eagel, Eagell, Eigle, or Eagale. Some variations might introduce elements of patronymic or metronymic origin, like Eagleson or Eagleton, but these typically denote a different lineage.

The surname could also be included as part of a double-barreled or hyphenated surname like Eagle-Smith or Jackson-Eagle.

Many variations of the surname might be a result of translation from English to a different language or from a different language to English. For instance, in different languages it is Aigle (French), Adler (German), Aquila (Italian), or Орел (Orel) in Russian.

Remember, the variations and spellings depend on regional pronunciations, historical documents, and even Immigrations or intermarriage can affect the spelling of surnames. The surname Eagle might have other variances not included in this list, but these are among the most likely variants one might encounter.

Famous people with the name Eagle

• David Eagle: A British musician, best known as a member of the folk music band The Young'uns.
• Dean Eagle: A noted Australian football player.
• Eagle Pennell: An influential independent filmmaker who pioneered the regional independent filmmaking movement.
• Glenn Frey: Full names Glenn Lewis Frey, he was one of the founding members of the American rock band the Eagles.
• Maurice Eagle: A British Labour Party politician who served as a Member of Parliament.
• Maria Eagle: A British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Garston and Halewood since 1997. She is the twin sister of Angela Eagle.
• Angela Eagle: A British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Wallasey since 1992.
• Don Henley: Full names Donald Hugh Henley, he is one of the founding members of the American rock band the Eagles.
• Randy Meisner: A founding member of the American rock band the Eagles.
• Gilbert Shelton: He co-created the underground comic strip character Fat Freddy's Cat and the band The Furry Freak Brothers, whose music was performed by country-rock band the Eagles.

Other surnames

EaglesEaglestonEagleton