Montague

Montague is both a surname and a given name of French origin. It derives from the Old French place name Montaigu, from mont meaning “mountain” and aigu meaning “sharp” or “pointed,” a toponymic designation originally used for people from a hill town. In England the name appeared in various forms, including Montagu, and it spread to other regions of Europe and the Americas through migration and literary use.

In culture, Montague is best known as the surname of Romeo’s family in William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. The Montagues are portrayed as one of the two feuding households at the play’s core, a motif that has influenced later works and media. The name also appears in other literary and modern works, sometimes with altered spellings or variants.

Geographically, Montague refers to several places, reflecting its toponymic origins. Notable examples include Montague Island off the coast of New South Wales, Australia, and various towns or communities in North America that bear the name Montague. The usage as a place name extends to regions in Canada and the United States, among others.

The name Montague remains in contemporary use as both a surname and, more rarely, a given name. Variant spellings such as Montagu are common, and the name features in historical records, nobility catalogs, and cultural media alike.