The origin of 'maverick'

In an earlier post I discussed the meaning of the word 'maverick', a term often heard during the U.S election campaign. Well, this week's issue of The Economist has a letter explaining the origin of the word, which I thought was worth mentioning:

The source for the term "maverick" is Samuel Maverick, a 19th-century pioneer in Texas who left his calves unbranded. This was unconventional at the time because whoever found the calf could appropriate and sear it with his own brand.

Language note: The marketing terms 'brand' and 'branding' also have their origin in the branding of cattle.