MAGGS
Maggs is a surname of English origin, though its ultimate etymological roots can be traced back to the Greek word margarites, meaning “pearl.” The name is a metronymic derivative of the medieval given name Margaret, itself borrowed into Greek and Latin as Margarita from a Persian source; it was popularised throughout Christian Europe by early saints bearing the name.
In the case of Maggs, the surname functions as a patronymic form—more precisely a metronymic, indicating “son of Margaret.” Such family names, founded on the mother’s given name rather than that of a father, are uncommon, with most medieval surnames arising from paternal references.
Historical documentation confirms the existence of the name in the early thirteenth century. The first recorded spelling appears in the Subsidy Rolls of Cumberland dated 1332, where an individual named Adam Meggesone is listed under the reign of King Edward I (1327‑1377). Subsequent church registers from London record further bearers of the name: the christening of Ann Megson at St. Dunstan’s, Stepney, on 22 February 1594; the baptism of John, son of Robert Megson on 15 June 1597 at the same parish; and the marriage of Thomas Megson and Mary Duke at Allhallows, London Wall, on 25 February 1665.
While not widely common, the surname has a recognised concentration in the south‑west of England. Its rarity is reflected in the limited numbers of individuals recorded over the centuries.
Other surnames sharing the same metronymic origin include Magson, Moxson, Moxon, Moxham, and variations thereof. All of these can be traced back to the same medieval feminine root Meg, a contracted form of Margaret.
Accordingly, the surname Maggs remains a distinct example of a female‑origin familial name within the broader context of English nomenclature, its lineage well documented from the early Middle Ages to the present day.
Typical given names associated with the Maggs surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Alison
- Barbara
- Elizabeth
- Joanne
- Kelly
- Linda
- Lisa
- Louise
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Pamela
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Maggs in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Maggs are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Chocolate Hobnob.
There are approximately 3,504 people named Maggs in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,616th most common surname in Britain. Around 54 in a million people in Britain are named Maggs.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Famous people named Maggs
- Kevin Maggs - Rugby union football player
- Christine Maggs - Phycologist
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.