Maisie

Maisie is a Scottish name – it’s the pet form of Mairead which is the Scottish-Gaelic equivalent to Margaret (in Irish-Gaelic Margaret is rendered as Mairéad). The name Margaret made its way to England by way of the Norman-French after the Conquest of 1066 (although Mairead didn’t become popularized in Ireland/Scotland until the 14th century). The French used Marguerite (from the Latin Margarita); the names are ultimately derived from the Hebrew word “margaron” meaning “pearl”. Margaret, et al, has been one of the most enduring female names of all time, popularized in the Middle Ages and sustaining strong usage into modern times (like Catherine, Elizabeth and Anne). Many medieval European Christian parents bestowed names of legendary early saints on their children as a measure of protection. St. Margaret was one such early saint who inspired veneration in the Middle Ages. Known as Margaret of Antioch or Margaret the Virgin, St. Margaret was born in Antioch (present day Turkey) in the late 3rd century. She was chastised by her father for her Christian beliefs and then had the audacity to rebuff a marriage proposal from a powerful Roman governor (this offer came with a demand: renunciation of her faith). She refused. As a result, Margaret was tortured and beheaded. Her legend and cult spread in the Middle Ages which served to popularize her name. One story told of her being swallowed by a dragon, but because she had been carrying the cross of Jesus, the dragon spit her out immediately (he was irritated by the cross – an ancient form of dragon indigestion perhaps). Margaret is a name that has spurred several variations, pet forms and nicknames down through the ages. These include, but are not limited to: Maggie, Madge, Marge, Meg, Megan, Greta, Gretchen, Margot, Mae, Molly, Peggy, Peg and even Daisy. The Gaelic nickname for this little pearl is Maisie, and Maisie is quite popular in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland today.