Early 17th century (in an earlier sense). From French ramage branches collectively, woodland, right to cut and collect branches in a wood, due for this right, (in genealogy) descent along collateral lines, birdsong in the trees from ram branch + -age, suffix forming adjectives. Compare Old Occitan ramatge, Catalan ramatge, both in sense ‘branches collectively’. Compare also post-classical Latin ramagium right to collect branches in a wood, due for this right.

Early 19th century; earliest use found in Hallowell (Maine) Gazette. From the name of Adam Ramage, a printer of Philadelphia.

Middle English (in an earlier sense). From Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French ramage (French †ramage) (of a bird, especially a young hunting bird) untrained, wild, (more generally) of the trees, (of a forest) bushy, (of an animal) wild, untamed from ram branch + -age. Compare post-classical Latin ramageus, ramagius (in falconry) wild, untamed, having left the nest. Compare Old Occitan ramatge.