Maverick, Samuel A . (Augustus) (1803–1870), a Texas statesman. His name became a synonym for an unbranded cow, and by extension, for a politician who refuses to be bound by party label. Maverick was born in South Carolina and in 1835 came to Texas, where he practiced law. He was a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. In 1847 he accepted 400 cattle in payment of a debt, but gave them little attention. In 1856 he sold his herd to A. Toutant Beauregard, who rounded up strays over several counties and claimed all unbranded stock as Maverick cattle.