MAXWELL
Maxwell is a surname of both English and Scottish provenance, appearing in the annals of the British Isles from the late twelfth century. The name is rooted in Celtic linguistic traditions and was borne by families who were professedly Christian during the early medieval period.
The etymology of the name combines elements from the Old English language. It derives from mægen, meaning “strength,” and weald, meaning “ruler” or “power.” Consequently, Maxwell conveys the sense of a mighty ruler or powerful leader, a designation likely bestowed upon individuals noted for their authority and strength in their communities.
The place‑based origin of the surname traces back to a locale near Melrose in the former county of Roxburgh. The earliest record of the placename is “Maccus's Wiel,” a name bestowed upon a salmon pool on the Tweed River by Maccus, son of Undewyn, a Saxon lord who received a land grant during the reign of David I before 1150. The element Maccus comes from the Old Norse personal name Makkr, a variant of Magnus, meaning “great,” combined with the pre‑seventeenth‑century Old English wael or well, signifying a pool. Thus the original place name meant “the pool of Maccus.” The name is recorded in 1144 as Mackeswell, and the surname appears in documents from the same period.
Subsequent archival entries include John de Maccusswell (1221) in the Calendar of Patent Rolls, Scotland, and Eymer de Mackisuuell (1262), as well as several spelling variants such as Maxwale, Maxweell, and Maxwaile. The earliest confirmed spelling of the family name is Harboured de Makeswell, dated to 1190 in the Pipe Rolls of Yorkshire, during the reign of King William, known as The Lion of Scotland, who governed from 1165 to 1214.
Notable members of the Maxwell lineage include Johane Maxwell, who was christened on 1 May 1547 at St. Antholin Budge Row, London, and William Hamilton Maxwell (1792–1850), an Irish novelist who graduated from Trinity College Dublin and served in the Peninsular Campaign and at Waterloo.
Throughout history, the Maxwell surname has been associated with individuals who demonstrated both strength and leadership, reflected in the name’s original meaning and preserved in the surviving medieval records.
Typical given names associated with the Maxwell surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Paul
- Robert
- Thomas
- William
Female
- Angela
- Anne
- Catherine
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jean
- Karen
- Linda
- Margaret
- Mary
- 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 Maxwell in...
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Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname Maxwell are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Bourbon.
There are approximately 16,536 people named Maxwell in the UK. That makes it the 536th most common surname in Britain. Around 254 in a million people in Britain are named Maxwell.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Maxwell
- Ghislaine Maxwell - Socialite, daughter of Robert Maxwell
- Stella Maxwell - Northern Irish model
- Robert Maxwell - Czechoslovakian-born British media proprietor and Member of Parliament (1923 to 1991)
- James Clerk Maxwell - Scottish physicist (1831 to 1879)
- Gavin Maxwell - Naturalist (1914 to 1969)
- Lisa Maxwell - Actress and television presenter
- Elisabeth Maxwell - Anglo-French historical researcher (1921 to 2013)
- Chris Maxwell - Welsh football player
- John Maxwell - Army officer and colonial governor (1859 to 1929)
- Arthur S. Maxwell - Writer (1896 to 1970)
- Peter Maxwell, 27th Baron de Ros - Noble
- Nicholas Maxwell - Philosopher
- W. B. Maxwell - Writer (1866 to 1938)
- Sir Herbert Maxwell, 7th Baronet - Horticulturist and genealogist (1845 to 1937)
- Ally Maxwell - Scottish football player and manager
- Ian Maxwell - Scottish football player
- John Maxwell - Scottish painter (1905 to 1962)
- Stewart Maxwell - Scottish politician
- Sir John Stirling-Maxwell, 10th Baronet - Scottish Tory politician and philanthropist (1866 to 1956)
- Sir William Stirling-Maxwell, 9th Baronet - Scottish historical writer and art historian, politician and virtuoso (1818 to 1878)
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.