Surname Maybury - Meaning and Origin

Maybury: What does the surname Maybury mean?

Maybury is an English surname, derived from a habitational name, meaning it was often taken by people who hailed from a particular locality. The origin of Maybury is said to be from a place named Maybury, although there are no records of such place in England, which is common for these kinds of surnames. The name probably came from an Old English pre-7th-century word combination of "maeg", meaning 'relative' or 'kinsman', and "burh", meaning 'fortification' or 'castle'. So, the direct translation could be "relative's castle". It could also be loosely translated to "fortified place of a kinsman". There are many different spellings of Maybury, such as Mayberry, Mayburry, and Maybry, among others. The first recorded spelling of the family name, dated 1230, appeared in the "Pipe Rolls of Gloucestershire".

Maybury: Where does the name Maybury come from?

The surname Maybury is believed to have Anglo-Saxon origins in England. Specifically, it is thought to come from places named Maybury in counties like Yorkshire and Surrey, which were established before the Norman conquest in 1066. The name itself is believed to be derived from an Old English term, "maeg-burh," which roughly translates to "maiden’s fortress" or "stronghold." This could possibly refer to a place associated with a powerful maiden or a town named after a woman. Hence, it is a locational name, given to people residing in or around those areas.

Today, the surname is most common in countries where there has been a significant migration from England. This includes English-speaking nations like the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. Within the United Kingdom, the surname Maybury is notably prevalent in England, particularly in regions such as West Midlands and London. Nevertheless, in terms of overall distribution, it remains a rare surname globally.

Variations of the surname Maybury

The surname Maybury has various spellings and similar-sounding surnames, suggesting different regional accents and transcription errors over time. Spelling variants can include Mayberry, Maberry, Mabry, Maybry, Mabery, Maberey, Maberley, Mayberly, and Mayberrey among others.

Maybury is an Anglo-Saxon surname believed to have originated from Maesbury in Somerset, England. As a place name, "Maybury" is derived from Old English elements: "maeg(e)" meaning kinsman or relative, and "burh" or "bury" meaning a fortified place or hill. Thus, implying "kinfolk's stronghold" or "hill of the kinsmen".

Other names of the same origin (i.e., derived from places in the British Isles) include Mabie, a surname from a place named Mabie in Dumfriesshire, Scotland; and Maybrey, a variant that appears mostly in U.S. census records.

Interestingly, the surname Maybury has also been naturalized in other cultures. For example, in France, the surname is often spelled as Mabire, while in Spain, it is spelled as Maburro.

These surnames have evolved over centuries, making it hard to trace an exact family lineage due to variations in spellings and regional dialects.

Famous people with the name Maybury

• William Maybury: Australian public servant.
• Emmet Maybury: American actor and comedian, best known for his role on the game show Hollywood Squares.
• Jordan Maybury: Canadian actor, best known for his roles in the movies The Longest Week and It Stains the Sands Red.
• Neil Maybury: English professional footballer.
• Teresa Maybury: British ice skater.
• Martin Maybury: English cricketer and schoolteacher.
• William Maybury: American founder of the Maybury-Mack Pet Products company.
• Nigel Maybury: British rugby union player.
• Francis Maybury: American sculptor, best known for his bronze statue of President George Washington.
• Barry Maybury: Irish poet and musicologist.

Other surnames

Mayburg