Maggan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

The Anglo-Saxon name Maggan comes from the name Megg, which is a pet form of the female personal name Margaret. The name Maggan 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name of the mother, and features the common patronymic suffix -son, which was most popular in the north of England and superseded other patronymic suffixes during the 14th century.

Early Origins of the Maggan family

The surname Maggan 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 Margeret. The name proliferated in Oxfordshire where John Megge was recorded in 1273. 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. " [1]

Early History of the Maggan family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Maggan research. Another 49 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 137 and 1379 are included under the topic Early Maggan History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Maggan 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 Maggan were recorded, including Megson, Meggson, Meggison, Meggeson, Megginson, Meiggs, Meggenson, Meggy and many more.

Early Notables of the Maggan family (pre 1700)

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

Migration of the Maggan 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 Maggan 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..

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.