Explore the Family Name Begue

The meaning of Begue

1. French (Bègue): nickname for someone afflicted with a stammer, from the Old French adjective besgue ‘having a stammer’ (derived from Middle Dutch beggen ‘to chatter’). 2. French (Bégué and Begué): variant of Viguié, a status name and occupational name for a judicial officer, from Old French viguier (see Viger). History: In the 12th century in Liège a priest called Lambert le Begue (‘Lambert the Stammerer’) founded a Christian sisterhood whose members followed an austere rule of life; they came to be known as the Béguines. A century later an order of lay brothers modeled on this sisterhood was founded in Flanders; they were known as the Beguins (see Beguin) or the Beghards (see Beckert). Some characteristic forenames: French Christophe, Jean Louis.

Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.