The last name "Agee" is of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English personal name "Aggi," which was a shortened form of various Germanic compound names beginning with "ag(i)-" meaning "edge" or "sword." The name was introduced to England by the Normans after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Over time, "Aggi" evolved into different spellings, including Agee. It is a relatively uncommon surname that can be found primarily in the United States and United Kingdom.
The surname Agee is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic phrase "MacAoidh," meaning "son of Aodh." Aodh was a popular personal name in early Scotland and Ireland, derived from the Celtic god Aodh, associated with fire and sun. Over time, MacAoidh evolved into MacAoidhe, which eventually became Agee. The surname Agee is primarily found in Scotland and the United States, particularly in the southern states like Alabama, Virginia, and Tennessee. Scottish migration to America during the 18th and 19th centuries contributed to the dispersal of the Agee name. Many Scots who adopted the Anglicized version of their Gaelic names to assimilate better into American society might have changed MacAoidh to Agee. By doing so, they allowed their descendants to retain a connection to their Scottish roots while adapting to the linguistic and social practices of their new home. Today, Agee is a relatively uncommon surname, but it continues to carry the historical heritage of the Scottish clans who bore it.
The last name Agee has a relatively low geographical distribution, primarily found in the United States. It is not as common as some other surnames, but it still has pockets of concentration in certain regions. The highest concentration of individuals with the last name Agee can be found in the southeastern states, particularly in Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. These states have a historical connection to the Agee family, with many individuals tracing their ancestry back to this region. However, Agee can also be found in other parts of the country, such as Texas, California, and Illinois, albeit with a much lower frequency. Overall, the geographical distribution of the last name Agee is mostly limited to the United States, with a higher concentration in the southeastern states and smaller pockets in other regions.
The last name Agee has various spellings and variations, reflecting the diverse ways it has been recorded over time. Some common variations include Agée, Agey, Agye, and Agy. These alternate spellings often stemmed from different phonetic interpretations of the name or from regional accents. In some cases, the spelling of Agee was influenced by other languages or cultures. For instance, the French variation, Agée, reflects the incorporation of a diacritic mark. Other variations, such as Agey or Agye, could have resulted from mistakes made during record-keeping or the transcription of oral accounts. These different spellings and variations demonstrate the fluidity and adaptability of surnames throughout history. Despite these differences, all these variations ultimately originate from the same core name, Agee, which remains a part of an individual's heritage and identity.
One notable figure with the last name Agee is James Agee (1909-1955), an American writer and journalist. He gained recognition for his groundbreaking non-fiction book "Let Us Now Praise Famous Men" (1941), which examined the lives of impoverished sharecroppers during the Great Depression. Agee was also known for his screenplay for the film "The African Queen" (1951), directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. He co-wrote the screenplay for "The Night of the Hunter" (1955), a film regarded as a classic of American cinema. Agee's works displayed a deep humanistic approach and a lyrical writing style that have made him an influential figure in the world of literature and film, even after his untimely death at the age of 45.
The surname Agee has its roots in France, originating from the Old French word "agié," meaning "aged" or "matured." The Agee family is believed to have migrated to America during the 17th century, settling primarily in Virginia. One notable early immigrant was Pierre Agé, who arrived in Virginia around 1650. Over time, variations of the surname emerged, including Age, Agg, Aggie, and Agy. Genealogical research reveals that the Agee family expanded and spread throughout the United States, with significant concentrations in states such as Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas. Prominent individuals bearing the Agee name have made significant contributions in various fields, including literature, education, and the arts. Notable examples include American writer James Agee and photographer Letitia Woods Brown. With its rich history and widespread presence, the Agee surname continues to be cherished within numerous families today.
Enter the surname you are looking for below:
surnames > age
The surname "Age" is of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "age," meaning "old age" or "old person." This surname may have been used to refer to someone who...
surnames > ageboi
The surname "Ageboi" is of Nigerian origin. It is derived from the Igbo language of Nigeria and likely has a specific meaning or significance within the Igbo culture.
surnames > agel
The surname Agel is of German origin, derived from the Middle High German word "egel," which means "hedgehog." This surname is likely to have originally been a nickname for someone...
surnames > agemy
The surname Agemy is of Hebrew origin and is derived from the personal name Agam, which means "lake" or "pond" in Hebrew. It is a relatively rare surname and is most commonly found...
surnames > agena
The last name "Agena" is of Japanese origin. It is commonly found in Japan and is a fairly common surname in the country.
surnames > agenagn
The surname "Agenagn" is of Ethiopian origin. It is likely derived from a place name or could have a meaning in the local language.
surnames > agent
The surname "Agent" has an occupational origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "agent," which was used to refer to an agent or representative. In medieval times, an age...
surnames > ageorge
The surname "Ageorge" is of French origin. It comes from the Old French personal name "George," which is derived from the Greek name "Georgios," meaning "farmer" or "husbandman." O...
surnames > agep
The origin of the last name "Agep" is Filipino. It is derived from an indigenous language in the Philippines.
surnames > ager
The last name "Ager" is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "ecg" which means "sharp" or "pointed." It likely originally referred to someone who lived near a promi...
surnames > agers
The last name "Agers" is of Danish origin, derived from the Old Norse personal name "Áki," meaning "ancestor" or "forefather." It is a patronymic surname, indicating descent from ...
surnames > agerter
The surname "Agerter" is of German origin. It is derived from the personal name "Ager", which was a short form of the given name "Aegidius" or "Agathar". The suffix "-er" typically...
surnames > agerton
The last name Agerton is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English personal name Eadgar, meaning "prosperity" or "fortune", combined with the suffix -ton, which means "...
surnames > ageved
The last name "Ageved" has unclear origins and it does not appear to have a specific country of origin or meaning in English.
surnames > agexa
The last name "Agexa" does not have a specific origin or meaning in English. It is possible that it could be a rare or unique surname with origins in a specific region or cultural ...