Megginns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The name Megginns is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from the name Megg, which is a pet form of the female personal name Margaret. The name Megginns 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name of the mother, and features the common patronymic suffix -son, which was most popular in the north of England and superseded other patronymic suffixes during the 13th century.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 Megginns family

The surname Megginns 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 Megginns family

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

Megginns Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Megginns has been spelled many different ways, including Megson, Meggson, Meggison, Meggeson, Megginson, Meiggs, Meggenson, Meggy and many more.

Early Notables of the Megginns family

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

Migration of the Megginns family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Megginnss to arrive in 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 +

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.