| ![Show Contents]() Med History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
The name Med is derived from a variety of sources. Most sources agree the name is derived from "meadow" as in the Anglo-Saxon "meed, what is mowed or cut down. " 1 2 3 4 One source claims the mead is a "location name in Somerset" 5 and of course, mead is an alcoholic beverage created by fermenting honey with water. This ancient beverage dates back to vessels dated to at least 7000 BCE as discovered in northern China. Early Origins of the Med familyThe surname Med was first found in Warwickshire where Richard Mede was listed in the Pipe Rolls for 1199. Later in Essex, John Atemede was listed in the Feet of Fines in 1248; Richard inthemede was listed in Surrey in 1332 and in Yorkshire John del Mede was found in the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379. John a Mede was found in Kent in 1454. In these cases, the name literally meant "dweller by the mead." 6 Early History of the Med familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Med research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1415, 1458, 1459, 1460, 1461, 1462, 1468, 1469, 1475, 1586, 1596, 1613, 1616, 1627, 1628, 1630, 1639, 1653, 1673, 1699, 1713, 1720 and 1754 are included under the topic Early Med History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Med Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Med include Mead, Meade, Meades and others. Early Notables of the Med familyNotables of this surname at this time include: - Philip Mede or Meade, Meede, (c. 1415-1475) from Mede's Place in Somerset was a wealthy merchant in Bristol and was twice elected a Member of Parliament for Bristol in 1459 and 1460. He was also three...
- Joseph Mede (1586-1639) was an English scholar who was educated at Christ's College, Cambridge, where he later became a Fellow from 1613. His Clavis Apocalyptica (1627), translated into English as Key...
 Migration of the Med family to Ireland
Some of the Med 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 Med familyA great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants: John Mead settled in Barbados in 1685 after being banished from the west of England by Judge Jeffreys; John Mead settled in Virginia in 1636; Samuel Mead settled in Barbados in 1680 with his wife, children and servants.
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: Toujours pret
Motto Translation: Always ready.
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
- Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
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