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![Show Contents]() Maydow History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The ancestors of the bearers of the Maydow family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found in or near a meadow. The surname Maydow is derived from the Old English words mæd and mædwe, which both mean meadow. The surname Maydow belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees. Early Origins of the Maydow familyThe surname Maydow was first found in Suffolk at Witnesham, a parish, in the union of Woodbridge, hundred of Carlford. "The family of Meadows, from a branch of which the present Earl Manvers is descended, have had a seat here since the time of Richard III." 1 Early History of the Maydow familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Maydow research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Maydow History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Maydow Spelling VariationsUntil quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Maydow include Meadowes, Meadows, Meadow, Meddows, Meddus, Meadus, Medus, Medis and many more. Early Notables of the Maydow familyMore information is included under the topic Early Maydow Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Maydow family to Ireland
Some of the Maydow family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Maydow familySearching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Maydow or a variant listed above: Anne Meadowes settled with her husband in Virginia in 1684; Elizabeth Meadows and her husband settled in Annapolis in 1758; James and John Meadows settled in Philadelphia in 1860. Edmund Meadus of Poole, Dorset, settled in Newfoundland in the 1830's..
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: Mea dos virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue is my dower.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
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England
Ireland
