This is without doubt one of the most interesting surnames that we have researched. It gives an almost "Baltic" appearance, but nothing like the same form appears in any of those countries. The truth is that it is almost certainly Irish, in fact we have no doubts on the Irish origin, the problem is that there are at least two possibilities. We know from research information that the Megrof(f) nameholders have had a continued presence in the Basingstoke area since the early 19th century, and we are also aware that they were associated with the canal. This is important because the Basingstoke and Kennet & Avon Canals were cut at this period, using Irish labour, the original "navigators". This in itself is circumstantial evidence but a cross check with known Irish-English records suggests that Megroff is a dialectal transposition of the Irish surname McGrove. This would appear to be conclusive evidence as to the origin except for one small snag, there is no such Irish name as McGrove! There is "Grove" originally an English planter surname found in Munster, and there is McGrath, and there were McGraths in Hampshire as early as 1745 at Fareham. So thats it then, the name derives from McGrath, or does it? On August 12th 1866, one Thomas McGrove is recorded at St. Philips Church, Stepney. So where did he come from? An example of the recordings of Megroff, is that of Thomas who married Eliza Porter at Basingstoke, on October 29th 1848. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Charles Megrof, which was dated January 17th 1804, married Sarah Pidgen at Basingstoke, Hampshire, during the reign of King George 111, known as "Farmer George" 1760 - 1820. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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