the scientific name is from latin. "larus" appears to have referred to a gull or other large seabird, and "canus" is "grey". the name "common gull" was coined by thomas pennant in 1768 because he considered it the most numerous of its genus. others assert that the name does not indicate its abundance, but that during the winter it feeds on common land, short pasture used for grazing. john ray earlier used the name "common sea-mall". it is said that "uncommon gull" is a more accurate description. there are many old british regional names for this species, typically variations on "maa", "mar" and "mew."