Surnames can have many origins and meanings. One example of this is the surname Badger. A badger was a term used in Tudor times to refer to a licensed beggar. It has been suggested that the origin of the surname Badger derived from this. Yet it could also refer to those who made bags. Another possible origin of the surname was as the habitation name of a small parish in Shropshire. So if you are a Badger one of your earliest ancestors was either a legal beggar, a bag maker or from Shropshire. What is certain is that they were not named after the animal!
The term badger was not used for the animal until the 16th Century. The earliest recorded use was in 1523. Before that, they were called a “brock” or “bauson”.
Much later as part of the Old Poor Law Settlement Act of 1697 it was required of 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.
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