Messeder History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

It has been suggested that Messeder is an occupational name derived from the Middle English words "mash," which is malt and water for fermentation, and "rudder," which was the implement used to stir the mixture. "Although the evidence is not quite conclusive, this seems to be a nickname for one who steeped malt." 1 Another source adds: "this term evidently implies the implement used for mashing or mixing the malt, to which, from resemblance in form, the name rudder is also given." 2

Early Origins of the Messeder family

The surname Messeder was first found in Essex where the family name was first referenced in the 13th century when they held lands in that county. It would take centuries for the family to appear in rolls as the next entry was Richard Maschrother was listed as a Freeman of York in 1498. A few years later, again in Yorkshire, Robert Masherudder was listed there in 1517. 1

Johannes Mashrother and WIllelmus Masshrother were listed in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. 3

Early History of the Messeder family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Messeder research. Another 102 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1487, 1517, 1536 and 1584 are included under the topic Early Messeder History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Messeder Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mashiter, Masseter, Masheder, Massiter, Masheter, Massheder, Messiter, Messeder, Messitter and many more.

Early Notables of the Messeder family

Another 46 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Messeder Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Messeder family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

The Messeder Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Spero et vivo
Motto Translation: I hope and live.

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)