Contents [hide]

Virgin History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Citations

Virgin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The surname Virgin comes from the Latin "virgo" meaning maiden, from which is derived the English word virgin. It is possible that the surname was originally a nickname for someone who had played the part of the Blessed Virgin Mary in a mystery play.

Early Origins of the Virgin family

The surname Virgin was first found in 1275 in Kent, where Simon Virg' who was listed in the Rotuli Hundredorum under the direction of Edward I. 1

Early History of the Virgin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Virgin research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1428, 1581, 1587, 1610 and 1637 are included under the topic Early Virgin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Virgin Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Virgin, Virgine,Vergin, Vergine, Virgo, Virgoe and many more.

Early Notables of the Virgin family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

the Virgin line of Kent

Virgin Ranking

In the United States, the name Virgin is the 13,615^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Virgin migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Virgin or a variant listed above:

Virgin Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Robert Virgin, who arrived in Virginia in 1637 3

Virgin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Virgin, who immigrated to Maryland in 1774

Virgin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Peter Virgin, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1812
F. J. Virgin, aged 49, who landed in America, in 1893
J. H. Virgin, aged 11, who landed in America from Barrow-in Furness, in 1896

Virgin Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Lottie Virgin, aged 30, who landed in America from London, in 1906
Arthur R. Virgin, aged 32, who immigrated to the United States, in 1910
Charles Virgin, aged 29, who landed in America, in 1913
Edith A. Virgin, aged 48, who immigrated to America, in 1919
Harice Virgin, aged 24, who immigrated to the United States, in 1922
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Virgin migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Virgin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Martha Virgin, aged 23, a domestic servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Caroline" 4
Sarah Virgin, aged 17, a seamstress, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Violet"
William Virgin, aged 44, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Clara"
George Virgin, aged 14, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Clara"
John Virgin, aged 20, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1859 aboard the ship "Clara"
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Virgin migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Virgin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Virgin, (b. 1845), aged 23, British farm labourer travelling from London aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 8th February 1869 5

Contemporary Notables of the name Virgin (post 1700) +

Craig Steven Virgin (1955-1980), American two-time gold medalist distance runner at the 1980 and 1981 World Cross-Country Championships
William Wirt Virgin (1823-1893), American politician, Member of Maine State Senate, 1865-66; Justice of Maine State Supreme Court, 1872-93 6
Thomas F. Virgin, American Republican politician, Postmaster at Moundsville, West Virginia, 1960-61 6
Roy Thomas Virgin (b. 1939), English cricketer from Taunton, Somerset
Nerene Virgin, Canadian actress, and television host, best known for her role on the children's television series Today's Special

The Virgin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Nunc aut nunquam
Motto Translation: Now or never.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
South Australian Register Thursday 26th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Caroline 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/caroline1855.shtml
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, February 19) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html