Save Gender Masculine & Feminine Usage English, English (Puritan) Pronounced Pron. EHS-iks(English) [key·IPA] Meaning & History From the place name Essex, or a transferred use of the surname (see Essex). This name was borne by Essex Finch, Countess of Nottingham (c.1652-1684), the first wife of Daniel Finch, 2nd Earl of Nottingham.