Mogridge

The surname Mogridge is of English origin, dating back to the medieval period. It is believed to have emerged as a locational name, derived from a place called Moggeridge or Moggridge in the counties of Wiltshire or Hampshire. The name is thought to have evolved from the Old English words "mocc" meaning a crop or plant shoot, and "hrycg" meaning a ridge or hilly area, suggesting that the name's earliest bearers were associated with a location characterized by a crop-covered ridge or hill.

This surname can be traced back to the early 13th century, with one of the earliest recorded instances being a mention of a William de Moggerigg in the Feet of Fines for Wiltshire in 1242. The name also appears in the Pipe Rolls for Hampshire in 1256, with a reference to a Robert de Moggerigge.

In the 14th century, variations of the name continued to appear in historical records. The Subsidy Rolls for Wiltshire in 1332 include a reference to a John Mokerugge, while the Lay Subsidy Rolls for Hampshire in 1334 mention a Robert Mokrugge.

One notable early bearer of the surname was John Mogridge, born around 1480 in Somerset, England. He was a prominent landowner and served as a Member of Parliament for Somerset in the early 16th century.

Another historical figure with this surname was Sir Richard Mogridge, born in 1575 in Wiltshire. He was a successful merchant and served as Lord Mayor of London in 1628.

In the 17th century, the surname continued to appear in various records, with spellings such as Moggridge, Moggeridge, and Mogridge. The parish registers of Bishops Cannings, Wiltshire, include several entries for the Mogridge family during this period.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name in the United States can be found in the records of Jamestown, Virginia, where a Thomas Mogridge is mentioned as an early settler in the late 17th century.

In the 18th century, notable figures with the surname include Thomas Mogridge, born in 1720 in Somerset, who was a renowned clockmaker and inventor, and John Mogridge, born in 1768 in Wiltshire, who was a influential figure in the early days of the Methodist movement.

The 19th century saw the surname spread further across the English-speaking world, with individuals bearing the name making contributions in various fields. One example is George Mogridge, born in 1787 in Somerset, who was a renowned naturalist and author of several books on British flora and fauna.