maverick

maverick · adjective, noun, verb¹

Named after Texan lawyer and politician Samuel Maverick (1803–1870), who refused to brand his cattle. For probable origin and meaning, see Maverick. The poker noun sense (“a queen and a jack as a starting hand in Texas hold ’em”) may be from the theme song of the US Western television series Maverick (1957–1962), which says of the eponymous protagonist that “[g]amblin’ is his game” and that he is “livin’ on jacks and queens”.

Maverick · proper noun, noun²

The surname is most famously associated with Samuel Maverick, a rancher from Texas who did not brand his cattle. The surname is of uncertain origin, but known to date as far back as the 1500s in Devon, England. Its meaning is a matter of conjecture, with connections to the name Maurice being unprovable.

First known use, by meaning

• from 1860s An unbranded range animal.
• from 1880s One who is unconventional or does not abide by rules.