Muggeridge

This unusual name is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is a locational surname from the place called "Mogridge" in Devonshire. The placename is composed of the Old English pre 7th Century elements "Mogga", an Anglo-Saxon personal name, and "hrycg", a ridge or spur, the whole thus meaning "Mogga's ridge". Locational surnames were usually given to the Lord of the Manor and especially to those former inhabitants of the place who left to live or work in another area. The surname development has included George Mogerege, (1586, Wiltshire) and John Moggeridge (1671, Devon). The modern surname can be found as "Mog(g)ridge", "Muggeridge", "Mug(g)ridge", and "Mockridge". Alice, daughter of Thomas Muggeridge, was christened at Bovey Tracey in Devonshire on the 29th December 1695. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Moggrydge, which was dated 1544, Ancient Deeds of Wiltshire, during the reign of King Henry V111, Bluff King Hal, 1509 - 1547. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.