This unusual and interesting surname is of Portuguese origin, and is a topographical name from residence by a large flat rock or slab of stone. The derivation is from the Portuguese "lage, laja" (of uncertain, possibly Celtic, origin). Topographical surnames were among the earliest created, since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided obvious and convenient means of identification in the small communities of the Middle Ages. The surname, with variant forms "Lage" and "De Lage", is well recorded in Church Registers of France, Spain and Portugal from the mid 18th Century. In 1778, Maria Joaquina Tabares Lages, daughter of Juan Tabares and Gimar Lages, was christened in Ponta Delgada, Portugal, and on February 21st 1867, the birth of one Francisco Lage was recorded in Tognes, La Coruna, Spain. A son, Abel Joas Pires Lages, was born to Manuel Jose Pires Lages and Sancia Martins, in Braga, Carvalheira, Portugal, on January 25th 1879. The Loges Coat of Arms is a red shield with a gold chevron, and gold chief; in base a silver pelican with her young. In heraldry, the Pelican is an important charge, representing Charity, Sacrifice, Benevolence and Redemption. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Jean Lage, which was dated March 20th 1745, witness at a christening, at Dieulefit, Drome, France, during the reign of King Louis XV of France, 1715 - 1774. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.