Names can have many origins and meanings. One example of this is a Badger.
"Badgers" was a term used in Tudor times to refer to a licensed beggar. It is thought that the origin of the surname Badger derived from this occupation or from those whose who made bags.
Another possible origin of the surname was as a habitation name taken from a small parish in Shropshire.
So if you are a Badger one of your earliest ancestors were either a peddle, a bag maker or from Shopshire. What is certain was they were not named after the animal!
Just to complicate things further part of the Old Poor Law Settlement Act of 1697 required those receiving poor relief to wear a badge on their right shoulder bearing the letter "P" and as a results paupers became know as "badgers". However this was long after surnames were established. This act stayed in force until 1810.
The term badger was not used for the animal until the 16th Century. The earliest recorded use was in 1523. Before that, it was called a “brock” or “bauson”. National Badger day is the 6th October every year.
