Maverick, << MAV ur ihk, >> Samuel Augustus (1803-1870), was a prominent Texas pioneer and statesman. He helped establish the Republic of Texas. His name has become part of the American language. In 1845, Maverick took a herd of 400 cattle in payment of a debt. He did not brand his cattle. They strayed, and neighboring ranchers called them mavericks. This came to be the name given to all unmarked cattle.
Maverick was born in South Carolina. He graduated from Yale University and practiced law in Virginia and Alabama before going to Texas.
