Surname Musgraves - Meaning and Origin

Musgraves: What does the surname Musgraves mean?

The last name Musgraves is of Scottish origin and is derived from the old Norman name De Musgrave. The name was first used by a family who lived in Musgrave, an area of northern Cumberland in the modern-day United Kingdom. The name Musgrave is often associated with the Clan Maxwell which traces its roots to this same region.

The name Musgrave is derived from two old Anglo-Saxon words – ‘mus’ meaning ‘mouse’ and ‘grave’ meaning ‘ditch’ or ‘drain’. Thus, the combination of the two words effectively mean ‘a ditch infested with mice’. It is likely that this was the sort of environment the first bearers of the name found themselves living in.

Today, the name of Musgraves is considered to be associated with a sense of resilience and strength. It is often seen as a symbol of a family’s tenacity and determination to succeed despite adversity. It is also seen to represent a sense of an unshakeable family bond.

The Musgraves name is found all over the world due to immigration patterns throughout history. It has been used by many different families and still stands as a testament to its bearer's strong will and resilience.

Musgraves: Where does the name Musgraves come from?

The last name Musgraves is most commonly found in English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and Australia. It is especially popular in the United States, where it ranks 6,015th most common surname nationwide.

According to Forebears, an online database of genealogical information, Musgraves is also quite popular in Ireland, ranking as the 713th most common surname in the country. It’s most common in the province of the Leinster, where it ranks 260th.

In the UK, Musgraves is not particularly common, with just 595 people with that surname residing in the country as of 2017. It is most frequently found in the South East of England, particularly in the Greater London area.

The origin of the Musgraves surname is unknown, but it is likely derived from the French last name Mauger, a common occupational surname derived from the medieval word for ‘Steward’. The spelling of the name was likely altered somewhat when originally brought to English-speaking countries.

Today, Musgraves appears in many places around the world, typically in English-speaking countries. People with the surname are concentrated in the U.S., Ireland, and the UK, though there are smaller populations in other countries as well.

Variations of the surname Musgraves

The Musgraves surname has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These variants may include Mosgrave, Mosgrove, Mosgraff, Mosgroff, Mosgrove, Musgrave, Musgraves, Mussgrave, Mussgrove, Musgrove, Musgroff, Miskgrave, Miskgraf, Miskgriff, Missgrave and Miskgraves.

Mosgrave is the most common spelling of the Musgraves surname. It is an Anglo-Norman surname that was introduced to Britain in the 12th century. It is derived from an occupational name which means “the keeper of the castle”. This name is also associated with a place in Yorkshire, England, which is named Mosgrave.

Mosgrove is another spelling of the surname which was derived from a place name with the same spelling. It is derived from the Old French words mose and grove, which mean “a meadow by a grove.”

Musgrave is a variation of the Musgraves surname that was developed in Normandy and was likely adopted when settlers from Normandy moved to Britain. It is derived from the old Norse elements moll and kriskr, which mean “mound” and “spear” respectively.

Miskgrave, Miskgraf, Miskgriff, and Miskgraves are all derived from the Old French word misk, which means “keep” or “guard”. It may also have been derived from the Middle English word misken, which also means “to keep”.

Missgrave is derived from the Middle English word missen, which means “to miss” or “to overlook”. It was likely taken on by those who were known to have missed something in the past.

The variants of the Musgraves surname are all derived from place names, Norman surnames, and occupational names. These variations all indicate that the surname’s origins can be traced back to pre-Norman times. They are a testament to the longevity of this particular surname and all of its various forms.

Famous people with the name Musgraves

• Kacey Musgraves: Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter known for her 2019 album Golden Hour.
• Paul Musgraves: British actor, director, and writer.
• Pat Musgraves: Singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Texas.
• Troy Musgrave: Writer and illustrator, most noted for his "passionate, impassioned and humorous essays."
• Jessie Musgraves: Contemporary Canadian visual artist.
• Rob Musgraves: Executive vice president at the Touhill Performing Arts Center in Missouri.
• Jesse Musgraves: Professional cyclist who competed in several major events, such as the British National Hill-Climb championships.
• Kasey Musgraves: Country music artist with his debut album Standing Up.
• Steven Musgraves: Singer and songwriter, best known for writing the Dreamcast RPG Jet Set Radio's theme song.
• Dale Musgraves: Lead guitarist of the Bravo Delta rock band for over three decades.

Other surnames

Musgrave