Born Edward James Muggeridge in Kingston upon Thames, England, little is known about his early childhood. He later adopted the name 'Eadweard Muybridge,' a name inspired by the Anglo-Saxon name 'Eadweard,' and the old English spelling of his birthplace, 'Muge.' This reflects a conscious effort to define his own identity and connect with his English heritage.

Muybridge emigrated to the United States, initially working as a bookseller in New York. This marked the beginning of his journey away from England and into the burgeoning landscape of American commerce and opportunity. His early entrepreneurial ventures hinted at the innovative spirit that would later define his photographic work.