MAIDEN
Maiden
Etymology:
The surname Maiden is of Old English origin, deriving from the word "maiden", meaning a young, unmarried woman.
History:
The surname Maiden dates back to the Middle Ages in England, with the first recorded instance of its use in written documentation found in the 13th century. It is believed to have been a metonymic occupational name for someone who worked for a maiden, perhaps in a royal or noble household.
Distribution:
The surname Maiden is most prevalent in Southern England, particularly in counties such as Hampshire, Kent, and Sussex. Over the centuries, migration and dispersion have led to the name being found in various other regions of the United Kingdom and beyond.
Notable Individuals:
- Thomas Maiden (1767–1833) – An English printer and publisher known for his work on the "Botanical Magazine", a publication featuring coloured plates of flowers.
- Margaret Maiden (1886–1954) – A British nurse and missionary who worked in Nigeria during the early to mid-20th century, dedicated to providing healthcare in underserved communities.
Variants:
Variants of the maiden surname include Mayden, Maidon, Maydon, and Maydin, each reflecting historical differences in regional accents and phonetic spellings.
Coat of Arms:
The Maiden family coat of arms features symbols such as a silver rampant lion on a blue shield, indicative of strength and courage, with additional elements denoting honour and virtue.
References:
- Reaney, P.H., & Wilson, R.M. (1997). A Dictionary of English Surnames. Oxford University Press.
- Hanks, P., Hodges, F., & Mills, A. (2016). A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford University Press.
There are approximately 2,045 people named Maiden in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,140th most common surname in Britain. Around 31 in a million people in Britain are named Maiden.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- Geoffrey
- Ian
- James
- John
- Mark
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Elizabeth
- Gillian
- Julie
- Lesley
- Margaret
- Michelle
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Sharon
- Susan
- Zoe
Similar and related surnames
- Madin
- Maden
- Madden
- Madon
- Maddon
- Madens
- Maddens
- Maide
- Maideen
- Maidens
- Maidon
- Mayden
- Maydens
- Maydon
- Meaden
- Meadon
- Meadown
- Medden
- Meddon
- Meden
- Medens
- Medon
- Meeden
- Madene
- Madeu
- Madew
- Madoe
- Maduna
- Maidin
- Maidmen
- Maiten
- Mauden
- Mawden
- Meadons
- Meddens
- Medien
- Midden
- Madan
- Madine
- Matin
- Mattin
- Meaton
- Medina
- Mewton
- Motton
- Mutton
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.