Map of England showing where the Maggs arms are recorded
The Maggs arms were recorded in Middlesex, c. 1579.
Middlesex was the county around London, and City money flowed straight into it. Merchants and officials bought estates within reach of the capital, and a new estate brought a coat of arms with it.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Maggs arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Middlesex.
Origin & History of the Maggs Family in England
The surname Maggs is a patronymic name, which means it originated as a way to identify a person by their father’s name. It is derived from a medieval nickname for Margaret, often shortened to Mag or Magge. During the late sixteenth century, the name became firmly established in the county of Middlesex, England. At this time, families were often tied to specific local trades or agricultural work, and the presence of the Maggs family in Middlesex by 1579 suggests they were part of the growing population in the region surrounding London. As people moved through the English countryside, the name evolved from a simple nickname into a formal family surname that was passed down through generations. This transition reflects the broader historical trend of English families adopting permanent surnames to distinguish themselves within their local communities.
Maggs Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Margaret
Derived from the Greek word for pearl.
This name
MaggsA medieval diminutive form used as a patronymic surname meaning son of Margaret.
also spelled
Megges
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
The National Archives, Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers, 1579
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
masclePersuasion and the mail of a knight's coat
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
