Surname George - Meaning and Origin

Unraveling my Ancestry: iGENEA DNA Test Throws New Light on the Surname George

Unveiling the hidden roots of my ancestry, the iGENEA DNA test results led me through an enlightening journey into my genealogy, specially concerning my surname, George. From tracing my Y-DNA haplogroup to Western Europe, to exploring the depth and meaning behind my name, the findings have left me with a deeper appreciation for my heritage.

L. George

George: What does the surname George mean?

The surname George is of Greek origin, derived from the personal name "Georgios". It is extracted from two Greek words, "geōrgos" which means farmer or earth worker. "Geō" means earth and "ergon" means work. Hence, in its broader sense, the surname George signifies a person who works with the land - a farmer or a tiller of the soil. This name was famously borne by St. George, a Roman soldier martyred in the early Christian era, who is the patron saint of England, Portugal, and Catalonia. This is a very popular surname in England and in America. The popularity of the name George grew because of King George of England and later was bolstered due to the American Revolution, and George Washington the first president of the United States.

George: Where does the name George come from?

The surname George is of Greek origin, deriving from the name "Georgios," which in turn comes from the Greek words “georgos,” meaning a tiller of the soil, or a farmer. The name famously became associated with Saints, such as Saint George, a 3rd-century Roman soldier venerated in the Christian tradition. In Europe, it was popularized during the middle ages due to the legend of Saint George and the Dragon.

Today, the surname George is common in various parts of the world. In the United States, it is particularly common among African-Americans, likely due to its use as a given and surname during the time of slavery. It is also common in England and Wales where the veneration of Saint George is strong. In the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon and Syria, the surname exists due to the significant Christian populations. In India's Kerala state, the surname is common among Saint Thomas Christians as a result of missionary influence. However, the spelling may vary depending upon the region and its local language.

Variations of the surname George

The surname George has multiple variants and spelling, arising from differences in languages, influences of immigration, and periods of history. Other spellings include Georg, Georges, Jorge, Georgiou, Georgescu, DeGeorge, Geoghegan, Giorgi, Giorgio, Giorgia, and Yegorov - highlighting the name's prevalence in various European and Middle Eastern cultures.

There is also the female derivative and feminine form Georgina which is notably prevalent in Spain and Italian-speaking countries. Geographic surnames like Georgiadis (son of George) are common in Greece, whereas in Russia Yegorov (son of Yegor, a version of George) are more prevalent.

Surnames of the same origin can include Georgeson (meaning 'son of George') and Georgiou (meaning 'George's' in Greek). Several spelling variants can also be derived from the forename version of George, including Georg, Jordi, Jory, and Giorgos.

It's crucial to note that the authenticity of the variants and related surnames can significantly depend on regional and cultural identities, interpretation, and the historic transformation of names.

Famous people with the name George

• George O. Gore II: An American actor and television director.
• Paul George: A professional basketball player in NBA.
• Eddie George: A former American football running back who played in the NFL.
• Phyllis George: An American businesswoman, actress, and sportscaster.
• Melissa George: An Australian-American actress.
• Devean George: A retired professional basketball player, NBA Champion.
• Henley George: A former US football running back.
• Lynda Day George: An American television and film actress.
• Tony George: The CEO and chairman of the board of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Indy Racing League.
• Dori George: A former professional American football defensive tackle.
• David Lloyd George: A British statesman who served as Prime Minister of the UK.
• Anne George: An American author and poet.
• Elizabeth George: A bestselling American author of mystery novels.
• Inara George: An American singer and songwriter.
• Darren George: A Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman.
• Rex George: An American major league baseball player.
• Susan George: A British film and television actress and film producer.
• Kathie Lee Gifford (born Kathryn Lee Epstein): An American television host, singer, songwriter, and author who was married to Paul Johnson and Frank Gifford, making her a part of the George family.
• Boy George: A British singer, songwriter, DJ, and fashion designer; real name George Alan O'Dowd.

Other surnames

GeorgGeorgenGeorgensohnGeorgerGeorgesGeorgescuGeorgesohnGeorgesonGeorgiGeorgieffGeorgievGeorgievaGeorgiewGeorgiewaGeorgsGeorgsenGeorgusGeorgy