Pledge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Pledge

What does the name Pledge mean?

The Pledge surname comes from the Middle English word “pleggere,” meaning “one who pledges in a lawsuit.” 1 2

Early Origins of the Pledge family

The surname Pledge was first found in Glastonbury, Somerset where Richard Plegger was registered as holding lands in 1309. William Plegge was listed in the Feet of Fines for Surrey 1435-1436 and John Pleger was recorded in 1525. Elias Pledger was found in Essex in 1662 and Robert Pledge was listed in Surrey in 1569. 1

One source claims “the Pledgers may, perhaps, derive their name from Pledgen, an Essex hamlet.” 3