The name is of French origin. SAVAGE means "someone of fierce countenance." The origin of this name is from Savage or Le Sauvage as it originally was in Medieval times when it was written in French and Latin. The Sauage version is from Latin when the U's and the V's looked very similar. Today this name still is very popular across the U.K. And Europe, although the pronunciation differs. Of course branches of these medieval families then went to America as pioneers, and the name took root there too. It is quite a noble name, and I think, one that should not be taken too literally.