Montay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Scotland

Montay is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Montay family lived in Derbyshire. The name, however, is a reference to the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Mundeyville, Normandy where they inhabited the Abbey of Fecamp. 1 2

Early Origins of the Montay family

The surname Montay was first found in Derbyshire where "the Mundys of Marheaton, who trace their pedigree to temp. Edward I., have a tradition of Norman descent, from a place called the abbey of Mondaye. " 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 proved the scattered migration of the family by that time: Simon Moneday, Huntingdonshire; Simon Mundi, Cambridgeshire; and Henry Mundi, Cambridgeshire. 4 In Somerset, Edmund Moneday, was listed there temp. Edward III. 5

Further to the south in Cornwall, another branch of the family was found in the manor of Rialton in the hundred of Pyder. "In the days of Elizabeth, a previous compact having expired, Rialton, another manor, and the bailiffry of the hundred of Pyder, were leased out either to Richard Senhouse, or to Mr. Munday, the son of a Mr. Munday, who had previously acted as steward from the time of Henry VIII. It is certain that the Munday family continued from the reign of Elizabeth to be lessees under the crown until the year 1663, when the Mundays were succeeded by Sir Francis Godolphin." 6

Early History of the Montay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Montay research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1529, 1555, 1560, 1584, 1591, 1630, 1633, 1657, 1685 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Montay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Montay Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Montay are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Montay include Mundy, Mondy, Monday, Munday, Mundie and others.

Early Notables of the Montay family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was William Mundy (c. 1529-1591), an English composer of sacred music; and his son, John Mundy (c. 1555-1630), English composer and organist; Anthony Munday...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Montay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Montay family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Montay, or a variant listed above: Hugh and Henry Monday, who settled in New England in 1630; Elizabeth Mundy settled with her husband and servants in Barbados in 1679; Bridget Mundy and her husband settled in Maryland in 1684.

The Montay 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: Deus providebit
Motto Translation: God will provide.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print