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This surname Maidment was a nickname 'the maden' a female servant or attendant. The small villages of Europe, or royal and noble households, even large religious dwellings and monastries gave rise to many family names which reflected the occupation or profession of the original bearer of the name. Early records of the name mention Richard Maydenemon, 1275, County Surrey. William Maideman was documented in 1327 Essex, and William Maideman appears in the year 1332. Alicia Martynmayden, listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax of 1379. Johanna Mayden, 1379 ibid. Thomas Hyett married Jane Maiden at St. George's Chapel, Mayfair, London in 1730. George Madin and Ann Harris were married at St. Mary, Aldermary, London in 1753. An eminent member of the name was Jospeh Henry Maiden (1859-1925) the British born, Australian botanist. He was born in London, but emigrated to New South Wales in 1880, and became director of Sydney Botanic Garden and the government botanist. He published several works on Australian plants, notably 'The Forest Flora of New South Wales'.