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Origin Displayed: English

Where did the English Moody family come from? What is the English coat of arms/family crest? When did the Moody family first arrive in the United States? Where did the various branches of the family go? What is the history of the family name?

The history of the name Moody goes back those Anglo-Saxon tribes that once ruled over Britain. Such a name was given to a bold or impetuous person. The surname Moody is derived from the Old English word modig, which means brave, impetuous, or bold. Occasionally, the surname Moody 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.

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Moody has appeared include Moody, Moodye, Moodie, Mudy, Mudie and others.

First found in Suffolk where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Moody arrived in North America very early: Simon Moody settled in Virginia in 1635; Edward Moody settled in Virginia in 1654; David Moody settled in the Barbados in 1680 with servants; James Moody in Virginia in 1663.

For more information on the last name Moody, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.


Suggested Readings for the name Moody
  • Francis Moody (1769-1821) by Clara Lorene Cammack Park.
  • The John Wyatt Moody Family by E. Grant Moody.

Some noteworthy people of the name Moody
  • Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899), American preacher
  • Orville Moody (1933-2008), American professional golfer, winner of 1969 U.S. Open
  • John Moody (1868-1958), U.S. financial analyst and investor, founder of Moody's Investment Services
  • Ralph Moody (1917-2004), American NASCAR, co-owner of Holman Moody
  • John Moody, Welsh National Opera singer
  • Theodore Moody, Historian
  • Arthur Moody, Union Leader


Tell Me More About Family Crests


Family Crests: the Heraldic Artist


We have researched the Moody family crest in the most recognized sources. Before an artist or craftsman can render a family crest, it must exist. In other words the crest must have been designed and recorded by the heralds from time immemorial.

Heraldic designs matriculated by the lay-artist in many cases becomes uninspired, meretricious and even ugly...

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Family Crests: Timeline


Many of the symbols adopted into armory have been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians, but heraldry itself did not begin until the 11th century. In continental Europe, the most ancient recorded family crest was discovered upon the monumental effigy of a Count of Wasserburg in the church of St. Emeran, at Ratisobon, Germany...

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Family Crests: Elements


In the Moody coat of arms as in all coat of arms the crest is only one element of the full armorial achievement. Again the Family Crest is just part of the story of Coats of Arms or Heraldry. Heraldry is defined as the hereditary art or science of blazoning, the description is appropriate technical terms of Coats-of-Arms and other heraldic and armorial insignia, and is of very ancient origin...

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Family Crests and Genealogy: how they relate


We encourage you to study the Moody genealogy to find out if you descend from someone who bore a particular family crest. Anyone making a study of heraldry usually becomes interested in Genealogy or seeking legal claim to a particular family crest. No families, not even the royal houses, can make sound claim to the right to bear arms unless a proven connection is established through attested Genealogical records...

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Moody Family Crest Products


Anniversary products for the name Moody.
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Armorial histories for the name Moody.
Ceramics revealing the family crest for the surname Moody.
Clip art of all the most used heraldic pieces.
Coat of Arms for the name Moody.
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Family Crest for the name Moody.
Family Tree emphasing the family crest for the name Moody.
Hand Painted Plaques showing the Moody family crest.
Keychains revealing the Moody family crest.
Mouse pads revealing the family crest for the surname Moody.
New Products proudly displaying the Moody coat of arms.
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Plaques and Frames with the coat of arms for the name Moody.
Surname Histories for the name Moody.
Travel Mugs with a Moody coat of arms.
Popular Products
Armorial History With Coat of Arms
Coat of Arms & Surname History Package
Family Crest Image (jpg) Heritage Series - 300 DPI
Key-chain
Coffee Mug
Armorial History with Frame
Framed Surname History and Coat of Arms
 

The Moody Family Crest was acquired from the Houseofnames.com archives. The Moody Family Crest was drawn according to heraldic standards based on published blazons. We generally include the oldest published family crest once associated with each surname.

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