Last Name Bag

The surname Bag is believed to have various origins based on different regions and cultures. 1. English: It may derive from a nickname for someone who was a bag-maker or a seller of bags. This comes from the Old English word "beag." 2. Scottish: In Scotland, it could be an Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac Baghach, meaning 'son of the baggard,' a term used to describe a thin and hungry man, possibly derived from a Norse personal name Bagge or Bagi. 3. Hungarian: Bag is a common Hungarian surname, originating from Bag, a town in Hungary. 4. Jewish (Ashkenazic): It could also be of Jewish origin, and may have been a topographic name for someone who lived near a bag or a sack, from the Yiddish word "bag." 5. Indian: In India, Bag can be a caste name belonging to the Bagar (or Bagarawa) community in Rajasthan, who were traditionally leather workers. 6. Ukrainian: In Ukraine, Bag could be an occupational name for a bag maker, from the Ukrainian word "баг," meaning 'bag.' 7. Armenian: The surname Bag may also originate from an Armenian clan or noble family of the same name, which has been prominent in history.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Bag

The meaning and origin of the last name Bag

The surname Bag has roots in various cultures, most notably among them being Germanic, Jewish, and Slavic origins. In Germanic and Slavic cultures, the name Bag or its derivatives can stem from topographic names for someone who lived near a bag, a small leather sack used for carrying items, or a geographical feature with a similar shape. In Judaism, Bag is a patronymic name derived from the Hebrew given name Binyamin, meaning "son of Benjamin." The name has been popularized in English-speaking countries through immigration waves, particularly those from Eastern Europe and Germany in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Variations of the surname Bag include Bagge, Bagg, Back, and Bak.

Geographical distribution of the last name Bag

The surname Bag is predominantly found in various regions of Turkey, particularly in the western and southern parts of the country, including cities like Istanbul, Izmir, and Adana. It also has significant presence in Azerbaijan, Iran, and Iraq, reflecting its origins from these geographical areas. Additionally, there are Bag communities in some European countries with large Turkish or Middle Eastern diaspora populations, such as Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the surname can be found among immigrants of Turkish and Middle Eastern descent, especially in cities with higher concentrations of these populations, like New York City, Detroit, and Los Angeles.

Variants and spellings of the last name Bag

The surname Bag has several variations and spellings across different regions and languages. Here are some of them:

1. Bag: This is the most common spelling of the surname, originating from various parts of the world including England, Germany, and India.
2. Bagg: A variant spelling found in English-speaking countries, particularly in Scotland and Northern England.
3. Beag: A Scottish Gaelic variation of the name, pronounced similarly to 'bag'.
4. Baag: This is a less common spelling, mainly found among individuals with Indian or Pakistani ancestry.
5. Bagge: Another variant spelling, predominantly found in Scandinavian countries, where it may originate from a Norwegian word meaning 'hill'.
6. Bäg: A Swedish variation of the name, pronounced 'bay-k' and possibly related to the Danish 'Bag' or Norwegian 'Baag'.
7. De Bag: A Portuguese surname that is a variant of the original French De Bagué.
8. Inbag: A Korean-language transcription of the English name Bag, used by individuals of Korean descent who have adopted Western names.
9. Vaag: An alternative spelling found among people with Indian or Pakistani ancestry, possibly influenced by similar-sounding Hindi surnames like Vaaghela or Vaagh.
10. Vogh (or Voge): A variant spelling that may have arisen due to phonetic changes in English dialects over time.

These variations and spellings demonstrate the global dissemination of the Bag surname and its adaptation to local languages and pronunciations.

Famous people with the last name Bag

Notable individuals with the surname Bag include:

1. John B. Agajanian Jr., an American motorsport promoter and businessman, known for his contributions to the Sportscar Racing Association (SCCA) and the Can-Am racing series.
2. Armen Bagdasarov, a Russian chess grandmaster and five-time Soviet Chess Championship medalist.
3. Ara Bagdasarov, an Armenian-Russian professional basketball player who has played for clubs in Russia, Italy, Spain, and Greece.
4. Hrant Bagratyan, an Armenian economist and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Armenia from 1999 to 2000.
5. Levon Baghramyan, a Soviet and Armenian chess grandmaster and multiple-time champion of the USSR.
6. Bagratasar Baghapsh, a medieval Georgian prince who served as eristavi (duke) of Kldeshi, Shavsheti, and Meskheti in the 9th century.

Genealogical research on the last name Bag

The surname Bag originates from various regions, suggesting multiple origins and possible meanings. In English-speaking countries, it is thought to be a shortened form of Barbagall or Barbary, indicating a person from Barbary Coast. In Scandinavian countries, Bag may derive from the Old Norse name Baki or Bagi, which translates to 'hill' or 'mound'. In Germany and Eastern Europe, it could be a diminutive form of names ending in -bagh, such as Johann-Bagh (John the Little) or Wenzel-Bagh (Wenceslas the Little). The name may also have Jewish origins, being a shortened form of Baginsky or Bagish, indicating 'from Bagrationovsk' or 'son of Bagi'. Notable figures with the surname include English politician Robert Bagot and Danish composer Peder Vilhelm Jensen-Bagge.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Bag"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 23 July 2025

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