Virgate
/ˈvɜːrɡət/noun
A medieval English unit of land measurement, commonly reckoned as about 30 acres but varying by region.
Did you know?A virgate was often associated with a peasant’s customary holding, linking a simple measuring rod to medieval systems of tenancy, obligation, and social rank.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
virga
“A rod, staff, switch, or slender branch”
Medieval Latin
Medieval Latin
virgata
“A rod-based measure of land; literally, something measured by a rod”
12th–13th Century
Anglo-French
vergate
“A medieval land measure derived from Latin virga”
14th Century
Middle English
virgate
“A customary measure of arable land, often about 30 acres”
Modern English
English
virgate
“A historical unit of land measurement, with acreage varying by locality”