Megginson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Megginson name is an important part of the history of the ancient Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Megginson is derived from the name Megg, which is a pet form of the female personal name Margaret. The name Megginson is a metronymic surname, which is derived from the name of the mother, and features the common patronymic suffix -son, which was most popular in the north of England and superseded other patronymic suffixes during the 13th century. Megge was first listed in Yorkshire in 1254. 1 To the south east, John Megge was recorded in the Berkshire in 1275 and later, Robert Megges was found in the Feet of Fines for Wiltshire in 1357. 1

Early Origins of the Megginson family

The surname Megginson was first found in Oxfordshire where they held a family seat. Commonly used surname in ancient times, Meg-son was literally the son of Meg or Margaret. The name proliferated in Oxfordshire where Johannes (John) filius Megge was recorded in the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273. Later Adam Meggesone was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Cumberland in 1332. 1

The Hundredorum Rolls also included: Johannes Megge, Oxfordshire; Robert Megge, Bedfordshire; and John Megge, Berkshire. 2 The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 include: Johannes Mekson; Robertus Megson; and Johannes Megson. 2

However, the popularity of the name diminished and by the year 1500 had become somewhat obscure. Modifications such as Meggison emerged and included others as Meggotson, and so on but the main stem of the family name moved north to Northumberland. It was here at Whalton that a " barony was conferred by the Conqueror upon Walter Fitz-William, to be held by the service of three knights' fees. It was afterwards possessed by the Fitz-Rogers, Fitz-Roberts, and others 3 in the reign of James I. was held by the crown 3 and was subsequently granted to the Meggison family. " 3

"The Megsons have contracted their name from Megginson, another name characterising this part of Yorkshire. On the tombstone of the wife of Francis Megson, who was buried in St. Olave's churchyard, York, in 1718, there is, or was, the following inscription: -

'Under this stone, crammed in a hole, does lye

The best of wives that ever man laid by.' " 4

Early History of the Megginson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Megginson research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1379, 1578 and 1735 are included under the topic Early Megginson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Megginson Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Megginson were recorded, including Megson, Meggson, Meggison, Meggeson, Megginson, Meiggs, Meggenson, Meggy and many more.

Early Notables of the Megginson family

More information is included under the topic Early Megginson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Megginson family

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Megginson family emigrate to North America: Vincent Meggs and his two sons, John and Mark settled in Weymouth Mass in 1639; George Meggs settled in Virginia in 1652; and Francis Meggs settled in Virginia in 1667..

Contemporary Notables of the name Megginson (post 1700) +

Ernest M. Megginson, American politician, Mayor of Mobile, Alabama, 1942-43, 1945-46, 1948-49, 1950-51 5

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 14) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html