Found this (m)
in reply to a message by Elinor
Found this in Withycombe. Apparently it's got a long history as a (male) name:
"Latin paganus, originally "rustic", "villager", later "heathen". It was introduced into England by the Normans, and it soon became common. The surnames Pagan, Pain(e) and Payne testify to its popularity. It did not, however, survive the Reformation as a christian name."
It then gives a list of records of the name, starting with a Pagan born(?) in 1086.
"Latin paganus, originally "rustic", "villager", later "heathen". It was introduced into England by the Normans, and it soon became common. The surnames Pagan, Pain(e) and Payne testify to its popularity. It did not, however, survive the Reformation as a christian name."
It then gives a list of records of the name, starting with a Pagan born(?) in 1086.