Show ContentsDe mello History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the De mello family

The surname De mello was first found in Ile-de-France, at Mellun, a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department. One of the first records of the name was Robert of Melun (c. 1100-1167), an English-born, scholastic Christian theologian who taught in Mellun, France. Little is known of him other than he studied under Peter Abelard and Hugh of St. Victor at the University of Paris and by 1137, he was a teacher in the school on Mont Ste-Genevieve. He was later involved in the Council of Reims in 1148. After teaching in Paris for 40 years, he was recalled to England by King Henry II in 1160, and was appointed Bishop of Hereford in 1163.

"Savaric de Malleon was Constable of Porchester Castle in 1216, and Seneschal of Poitou and Gascony in 1222. He held Petersfield and MapleDurham (part of the Honour of Gloucester) by grant of King John. It was this Savaric who in 1216 was left by the King in charge of the city and castle of Winchester, just after Pentecost, the holy time chosen by the Bishop of Winchester, who wits with the King, for excommunicating Lewis and all his favourers. Upon the departure of the King, Savaric set fire to the suburbs of Winchester. Then followed the siege of the castle, which at last by the counsel of Savaric was given up to Lewis upon which followed the surrender of all the Hampshire castles. In 1229, after the death of Waleran Teutonicus, he became Warden of the Isle of Wight. was, says Worsley, " a Poictevin, and had been very serviceable to the King during the war with France ; but afterwards, on some discontent, changing sides, became extremely troublesome." 1

Early History of the De mello family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our De mello research. Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1302, 1465, 1598, 1634, 1688 and 1721 are included under the topic Early De mello History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

De mello Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Melun, Mellun, Mellon, Melon, Meluns, Melluns, Melune, Melunes, Mellune and many more.

Early Notables of the De mello family

More information is included under the topic Early De mello Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

De mello Ranking

In the United States, the name De mello is the 7,219th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 2


United States De mello migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

De mello Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Antonio de Mello, aged 29, who settled in America, in 1897
De mello Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Antonio de Mello, aged 21, who immigrated to the United States from Furnas, St. Michael's, in 1907
  • Antonio De Mello, aged 41, who landed in America, in 1924

Contemporary Notables of the name De mello (post 1700) +

  • D. DeMello, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Hawaii Territory, 1928 3
  • Sérgio Vieira de Mello (1948-2003), Brazilian United Nations employee
  • Evaldo Cabral de Mello (b. 1936), Brazilian historian and history writer
  • Froilano de Mello (1887-1955), Goan microbiologist, professor, author and MP in the Portuguese Parliament
  • Fernando Collor de Mello (b. 1949), Brazilian politician, 32nd president of Brazil
  • Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen (1919-2004), Portuguese writer
  • Sergio Vieira de Mello (b. 1948), Brazilian United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (2002-03)
  • Amadeu Thiago de Mello (1926-2022), pen name Thiago de Mello, a Brazilian poet, writer, translator, and environmental activist


The De mello 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: Virtus et honor
Motto Translation: Virtue and honor.


  1. Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 15) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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