Surname Messenger - Meaning and Origin
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Messenger: What does the surname Messenger mean?
The surname Messenger originates from England and is occupational, denoting a family's line of work during the Middle Ages. The name comes from the Old French term "messager" which translates into "courier" or "messenger". A family with the Messenger surname likely had ancestors who were messengers, responsible for conveying information from one person or location to another. This job was vital during that era, as there were no telephones, emails, or advanced ways of communication like today, making personal messengers the fastest mode for transmitting news or orders. The surname, like other occupational names, would have been given to the original bearer of the name, and then passed down to successive generations. The name is not only found in England, but also in various forms in other parts of Europe, reflecting the common need for this occupation in earlier times.
Order DNA origin analysisMessenger: Where does the name Messenger come from?
The surname Messenger originates from England. It is derived from the Middle English term "messager" which is a professional name for a courier or someone who carried messages. The name reflects an early medieval profession crucial for communication before the widespread literacy or postal system.
The earliest public record of the name dates back to the 13th century in London. Over time, the surname spread throughout Britain and then globally as a result of the British empire’s expansion.
Today, people with the surname Messenger can be found in several countries, including the United States, England, Canada, and Australia. It is most common in England due to its origins and in the United States due to the high number of British immigrants. However, it's considered a rare surname in all these countries.
Variations of the surname Messenger
The surname Messenger has several variations and spellings. It originates from an Old French term "messagier" which means a courier or someone who carries messages. Over time, based on the regional pronunciations and spellings, the surname has taken on several different forms. Here are a few:
1. Massager: Likely a phonetic variant of Messenger, this form may have arisen from an alternate pronunciation or mistranscription.
2. Messinger: This variant has an extra 'i', possibly resulting from a phonetic spelling based on a regional accent.
3. Messener: This version possibly arises from a misspelling or alternate pronunciation.
4. Missinger: This may be a softened version of Messenger and could be due to regional dialect influences.
5. Massenger: This is a less common variant and may have formed due to a mispronunciation or misspelling.
6. Messagier: This variant is closer to the original French term, and it appears to retain more of the French pronunciation and spelling.
Some less common variants could include forms like Messangere, Messengere, or Messingeres. However, these are rare and may not always be accepted as legitimate variations of the Messenger surname.
Famous people with the name Messenger
- Robert Messenger: Robert Messenger is a well-known actor who has been featured in films such as The Lord of the Rings, X-Men, and Harry Potter.
- Caroline Messenger: Caroline Messenger is a British fashion designer, best known for her work with designer brands such as Ted Baker, Mulberry, and Alexander McQueen.
- Paul Messenger: Paul Messenger is a British author, best known for his books on the history of Britain, such as Britain at War and Britain after the Fall.
- Jack Messenger: Jack Messenger is a popular British singer-songwriter, whose music often focuses on topics such as social injustice and environmentalism.
- David Messenger: David Messenger is a famous scientist who is best known for his research into how the human brain works, and how it affects people's behavior.
- Steph Messenger: Steph Messenger is an Australian singer-songwriter who has had success in Australia and the United States.
- Will Messenger: Will Messenger is a popular British comedian, best known for his stand-up comedy, as well as his appearances on TV shows and in films.
- Andy Messenger: Andy Messenger is an American filmmaker, best known for directing and producing films such as Ex Machina and Birdman.
- Frank Messenger: Frank Messenger is a celebrated American painter, best known for creating abstract works of art.
- Simon Messenger: Simon Messenger is a famous British journalist, who has reported on major news stories for BBC News and other news organisations.