Surname Eagles - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'E'
Eagles: What does the surname Eagles mean?
The surname Eagles is of English origin and is believed to be a nickname or occupational name derived from the Old English term 'ea', meaning river, and 'gafol', meaning fork. This suggests that the name may have originally referred to a person who lived near a fork in the river. On the other hand, it may also be a metonymic occupational name for a bird catcher, derived from the Old English word 'egle' meaning eagle. Therefore, it was a name given to a person who showed great strength and power, akin to an eagle or a person who caught or worked with these birds. Like many surnames, the meaning of Eagles can be multifaceted and relates to geographical locations, occupations, or personal characteristics.
Order DNA origin analysisEagles: Where does the name Eagles come from?
The surname Eagles is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English pre-7th Century "Egles", itself coming from "egl" meaning corner, angle. It was a topographic name given to someone who lived by a projecting piece of land. Another possible origin could be the Old English personal name, Ægel, and it would then mean "son of Ægel". Eventually, it evolved into the surnames Eagles, Eglese, and Eagel.
The surname Eagles is quite uncommon, but it is most frequent in England, specifically the southeastern region, which conforms to its Anglo-Saxon origin. Though it can be found in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, it is not very common in those places. Over the centuries, many English families migrated to various countries for different reasons, llke seeking employment or escaping political unrest, which have contributed to the dispersion of the surname. However, it's still most common in the United Kingdom today.
Variations of the surname Eagles
The surname "Eagles" is of English origin. Variations of this surname include Eagle, Eagell, Egle, Eggle, Eegles, Eagels, Eaggles, Aegles, Aeagles, and Eagels.
The surname can be found throughout England, with significant numbers of persons bearing the name in Devon, Hampshire, and London during the 19th century. Alternatively, it may also originate from the Old English personal name "Ecgel", which appears as "Aegel" in the Domesday Book of 1086.
In some rare cases, the surname "Eagles" might be an Americanized form of some like-sounding foreign name or a translation of a non-English bird name. The spelling of the surname has likely changed over the centuries, incorporating different influences and adapting to different cultures.
Surnames often originated from occupations, characteristics, locations or progenitors. In the case of Eagles, it might have been adopted from the bird of the same name, perhaps referring to someone who was daring, or high-spirited, or who had a sharp-sighted nature.
Keep in mind, however, that many factors including migration, illiteracy, and changes in spelling conventions mean that names can alter significantly over time and distance.
Famous people with the name Eagles
- Glenn Frey: An American singer, songwriter, actor, and founder of the rock band the Eagles.
- Don Henley: An American musician, singer, songwriter, and producer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles.
- Joe Walsh: An American rock singer, guitarist, and songwriter who is the member of three commercially successful bands, the James Gang, Barnstorm, and the Eagles.
- Timothy B. Schmit: An American musician, singer, and songwriter, best known for his work as the bassist and vocalist for the Eagles.
- Randy Meisner: An American musician, singer, songwriter, and founding member of the Eagles.
- Bernie Leadon: An American musician, songwriter, and founding member of the Eagles.
- Don Felder: An American musician and songwriter, best known for his work as the lead guitarist of the Eagles.
- Stuart Eagles: An English author who is known for his book on Rudolf Steiner's philosophy. Please note that the members of the band "the Eagles" aren't actually surnamed "Eagle." However, they are often associated with this name due to the band's success and popularity.