Show ContentsMelody History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Melody is a name of Anglo-Saxon origin. It was a name given to a bold or impetuous person. The surname Melody is derived from the Old English word modig, which means brave, impetuous, or bold. Occasionally, the surname Melody is derived from the female personal name Melodia. In this case, this name is a metronymic surname, which is derived from the name of the mother. [1] [2]

Early Origins of the Melody family

The surname Melody was first found in Devon, where the source Old English Bynames lists Alwine Modi as living there c. 1100-1130. A few years later in Nottinghamshire, Godric Modi was listed c.1150. [3]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists Adam Mody, Oxfordshire; Roger Mody, Salop (Shropshire); and Simon Modi, Cambridgeshire. In Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Johannes Mody, husband; Thomas Mody and Sibota uxor ejus; and Thomas Mody and Agnes uxor ejus. [1]

"Moody is an ancient name that was represented in the reign of Edward I. by Mody and Mudy in Norfolk, and by Mody and Modi in Oxfordshire and Wilts (H. R.). Probably the Suffolk and Yorkshire name of Mudd or Mudde is another form of this name. Moody is a name that has also a home in the south and west of England in Hampshire and Somerset. William Moody possessed 29 acres in Partney, Lincolnshire, in 1616; and there was a John Moody, Esq., of Scremby, in this county, about 1750. The name of Moody was represented by Mody or Modi in the neighbouring county of Wiltshire 600 years ago." [4]

We would be remiss if we did not mention of the family in Scotland. There, the first on record was "Johannes Modi [who] served on an inquest made at Peebles in 1262." [5]

"William Mudy, merchant, had a safe conduct to visit England in 1365 with four companions, and William Mudy armiger, with two horsemen in 1367-1368. Sorlet, rector of Assend (Assynt) witnessed the charter of Bishop William (Mudy) to his brother-german Gilbert Mudy in 1455. Thome Mwdy and Robert Mwdy appear in Brechin in 1450, the former held land there in 1461 and in 1496 John Mwdy held land there. Mudy occurs in Perth in 1499, William Mwdye was chamberlain of Orkney in 1563, and Robert Mudie had a charter of part of the lands of Maistertoun in 1600. The direct line in Forfarshire endea on the death of John Mudie of Pitmuies in 1876. George Mudy was enrolled burgess of Dundee in 1576, and a burial place for Mudies was erected there in 1602." [5]

Early History of the Melody family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Melody research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1428, 1563, 1600, 1637, 1639, 1727, 1812 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Melody History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Melody Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years, the English language had no fast system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations are commonly found in early Anglo-Saxon surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Melody were recorded, including Moody, Moodye, Moodie, Mudy, Mudie and others.

Early Notables of the Melody family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Melody Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the Melody family to Ireland

Some of the Melody family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 328 words (23 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Melody migration to the United States +

To escape oppression and starvation at that time, many English families left for the "open frontiers" of the New World with all its perceived opportunities. In droves people migrated to the many British colonies, those in North America in particular, paying high rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Although many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, those who did see the shores of North America perceived great opportunities before them. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Melody family emigrate to North America:

Melody Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Elisa Melody, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1811
  • James Melody, who was on record in New York in 1854
  • John Melody, who settled in New York, NY in 1858
  • Michael Melody, who settled in Detroit in 1868
  • Winifred Melody, aged 18, who settled in America, in 1895
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Melody Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Annie Melody, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Currower, Ireland, in 1906
  • Delia Melody, aged 18, who landed in America from Scariff, Ireland, in 1907
  • Mary Melody, aged 23, who landed in America from Kinoara, Ireland, in 1907
  • Thomas Melody, aged 19, who settled in America from Scariff, Ireland, in 1907
  • Kate Melody, aged 26, who immigrated to the United States from Castleblakeney, Ireland, in 1908
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Melody migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Melody Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Melody, (b. 1883), aged 18, British Settler travelling aboard the ship " Auckland" en route to Invercargill, New Zealand on 25th December 1879 [6]

Contemporary Notables of the name Melody (post 1700) +

  • Anthony John "Tony" Melody (b. 1922), English television actor who appeared in over 100 television roles
  • Lord Melody (1926-1988), born Fitzroy Alexander, Trinidad and Tobago calypso singer, best known for singles "Boo Boo Man", "Shame & Scandal" and "Jonah and the Bake"
  • Susan Melody George (b. 1950), English film and television actress, and film producer
  • Melody Patterson (1949-2015), American actress who started performing at the age of four, best known for her role as Wrangler Jane in the 1960s TV series F Troop
  • Melody Woodin (b. 1986), American fashion model
  • Melody Damayo (b. 1973), American Republican politician, Candidate in primary for Governor of Nevada, 2006 [7]


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  5. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  6. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  7. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, December 8) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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