Majors History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name Majors reached English shores for the first time with the ancestors of the Majors family as they migrated following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The name Majors is based on the Norman given name Mauger. The name indicates one who is the son of Maugier, an Old French personal name, which is derived from the Old Germanic name Malger, which means council spear. 1

Early Origins of the Majors family

The surname Majors was first found in Normandy where Mauguer was the third son of Richard I, Duke of Normandy and his second wife, Gunnora. He ruled as Count of Corbeil through his wife Germaine de Corbeil.

Mauger (or Malger) was the youngest son of Richard II and his second wife, Papia of Envermeu. He rose to become Archbishop of Rouen in 1037. However, as he opposed the marriage of Duke William and Matilda of Flanders in 1049, he was banished from Rouen to the Isle of Guernsey. There he married Gisella or Guille "without sanction of the Church, he formed an intimacy that resulted in numerous progeny, some of whom took their father's, others their mother's name. 'Hence,' observes a correspondent 'Guilles and Maugers are as plentiful as blackberries on the Channel Islands'"2. The Norman poet Wace (c.1110-1174), related stories of his life on the Channel Islands some 100 years later.

Another Mauger was royal clerk and physician before he was elected to the see of Worcester in 1199, a position held until his death in 1212. Sir Mathias Mayer (Mayor), originally a Jerseyman was ancestor of the Majors of Hampshire.

In England, the Domesday Book of 1086 records the name as a surname in Latin form: Hugo filius Malgeri. 3 The same source also lists a variant, similarly in Latin: Drogo filius Matelgerii. 1 As a forename we find Malger filius Gilleberti in Nottinghamshire (1150-1160.) In Somerset, John Mauger or Malger was listed there in 1250 and later in the Assize Rolls on 1272. The place name "Tolleshunt Major (Essex) owes its attribute to the Domesday Book's Malger." 1

"The font-name was fairly popular in the 13th century. Mauger is found as a single personal name in the Hundredorum Rolls." 4 However, the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had listings as a surname too: Thomas filius Mager in Lincolnshire; Walter Mauger in Cambridgeshire; and Richard Malgor in Buckinghamshire. 4

Early History of the Majors family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Majors research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1469, 1550, 1615, 1655 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Majors History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Majors Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Majors are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Majors include Major, Mauger, Magor, Maior, Mayer, Mayor, Mager and others.

Early Notables of the Majors family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Majors Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Majors Ranking

In the United States, the name Majors is the 2,959^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Majors family to Ireland

Some of the Majors family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 73 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Majors migration to the United States +

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Majors, or a variant listed above:

Majors Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alex Majors, aged 19, who immigrated to the United States, in 1892
Andras Majors, aged 43, who landed in America, in 1895
Terez Majors, aged 30, who settled in America, in 1895

Majors Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Vincent Majors, aged 21, who landed in America, in 1919
Joseph Majors, aged 18, who landed in America, in 1919
Marion Majors, aged 20, who immigrated to the United States, in 1920
J. Majors, aged 19, who settled in America, in 1920
William Herny Majors, aged 44, who immigrated to America, in 1920
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Majors (post 1700) +

Jonathan Michael Majors (b. 1989), American Primetime Emmy nominated actor, known for The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019), Lovecraft Country (2020) and White Boy Rick (2018) and as Kang the Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Lee Majors (b. 1939), born Harvey Lee Yeary, American Golden Globe nominated actor, best known for his roles in The Six Million Dollar Man (1974) and The Big Valley (1965)
Austin Majors (1995-2023), American Young Artist Award winning actor, known for Treasure Planet (2002), NYPD Blue (1993) and An Accidental Christmas (2007).
Faith Majors (b. 1974), born Faith Noelle Cross, American actress, wife of Lee Majors
Lee Majors (b. 1962), American actor, son of Lee Majors
Alexander Majors (1814-1900), American businessman, co-founder of the Pony Express in 1860
Johnny Majors (1935-1987), former American college football player and coach, inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame (1987)
Sterling P. Majors, American politician, Delegate to Nebraska State Constitutional Convention, 1864; Delegate to Nebraska State Constitutional Convention, 1871 6
R. Powell Majors, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from North Carolina, 1964 6
P. J. Majors, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Georgia, 1896 6
... (Another 5 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 10) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html