This surname was of the baptismal group of surnames meaning 'the son of Eggar'. After the crusades in Europe in the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries a need was felt for an additional name. This was recognized by those of noble birth, as it added prestige and practical advantage to their status. This name was derived from the Old English word Eadgar, meaning prosperity guard. EDGAR (944-74) was the king of the English. He was the younger son of King Edmund of Wessex. He was formally crowned and received the submission of all the kings in England, who rowed him ceremonially on the river Dee. His reign was one of secure peace and prosperity, and he is renowned for his part in reviving the English church, his son was Aethelred II (the Unready). William Edger of County Somerset was recorded during the reign of Edward III (1327-1377) and Robert atte Eggar of Yorkshire was listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. The name was taken early to Scotland by settlers, and Richard Edgar who was sheriff of Dumfries in the year 1329, appears to be the first of the name on record there. Ricardus Edger witnessed a royal charter of the lands of Dalmakeran in 1336. At first the coat of arms was a practical matter which served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments. With his helmet covering his face, and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, the only means of identification for his followers, was the insignia painted on his shield, and embroidered on his surcoat. The rise of surnames, according to the accepted theory, was due to the Norman Conquest of 1066 when Old English personal-names were rapidly superseded by the new christian names introduced by the Normans. Of these, only a few were really popular and in the 12th century this scarcity of christian names led to the increasing use of surnames to distinguish the numerous individuals of the same name. Some Normans had hereditary surnames before they came to England, but there is evidence that surnames would have developed in England even had there been no Norman Conquest. The development of the feudal system made it essential that the king should know exactly what service each person owed. Payments to and by the exchequer required that debtors and creditors should be particularized, and it became official that each individual acquired exact identification.