Worge

Recorded in a number of forms including Worg, Worge, Wogan, Worgg, Worgan, Worgen and Worgin, this is a surname of Olde English pre 7th century origins. Although now quite rare in any spelling, it should be preserved as it is one of the few survivors of the ancient names of Britain from the very beginings of the written language. The origination is apparently from the word "gwg or gwgan". This has been translated literally as a frown or scowl, although it is difficult to imagine that such a meaning could possibly have applied fifteen hundred years or more ago. "Names" in those ancient times were given to children to try to ensure that they lived up to the parents wishes, and it is difficult to imagine that "scowl" was one of them! What is certain is that the name was prominent in the Cumbria region of England and this may well be the reason as to why it survived the Norman Conquest of 1066. It was at least a century before Norman rule became accepted in those areas, by which time its political influence had declined. Early examples of recordings include John Wogan of Cumberland in 1292, and in the surviving registers of the diocese of Greater London that of Ursula Worge, who married Richard Harryson at St Giles Cripplegate on July 10th 1595, Alice Worgan, who married Robert Marshon also at St Giles, on December 4th 1610, and Edward Worgin, christened at St Mary Creechurch, on May 6th 1668.