An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Mage

by Friedrich Kluge

Mage, m., formed from the equiv. MidHG. mâc (g), m., OHG. mâg, m., ‘kinsman’; corresponding to OSax. mâg, AS. mœ̂g, m., ‘kinsman.’ The allied terms in the East Teut. languages denote special degrees of relationship; comp. Goth. mégs, ‘daughter's husband,’ OIc. mágr, ‘brother-in-law, son-in-law, father-in-law.’ Probably mâg signified orig. ‘one who is related by marriage.’ HG. distinguishes between Schwert- and Spillmagen, just as MidHG. does between swërtmâge, ‘relatives on the male side,’ and spinnelmâge, ‘relatives on the female side’; similarly in AS. spërmagas and spinelmâgas.