Margery

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Margery

Gender: Feminine
Language: English
Etymology:

Margery is a Middle English form of Margaret, the English form of a Greek name. Originally it meant “Pearl,” or “Precious.”

History:
Margery (based on Margerie, from the French Marguerite) was originally a vernacular form of Margaret during the Middle Ages (nobility used Margaret, commoners, Margery). It first appeared in England in 1194. By the 13th century, the connection with Margaret had been forgotten. The spelling Marjorie arose from a confusion with the herb marjoram and slowly overtook the Margery spelling. By the 18th century, both were found only among rural peasants. Marjorie (but not Margery) was revived in a major way in the late 19th century.
Please see Margaret for more information.

Pronunciation: marj-err-ee.

Diminutives: Marge, Margie, Marji, Marjie

Alternates: Margerie, Margerye, Marjorie, Marjory, Marjori.
Latin: Margeria.
Scottish: Marsali.

Famous Bearers:
Artists and Authors:
Margery Allingham (1904-1966)
British detective novel writer.

Religious Figures:
Margery Kempe (1373-1440):
Religious mystic. Wrote her autobiography, the Book of Margery Kempe.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
0.011 % named Margery

Popularity of Margery:
Popularity (for newborns):

In the United States...
1900-1910: 549th most popular.
1910-1920: 398th most popular.
1920-1930: 297th most popular.
1930-1940: 441st most popular.
1940-1950: 508th most popular.
1950-1960: 734th most popular.
1960-2000: N/A