Meddus History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The lineage of the name Meddus begins with the Anglo-Saxon tribes in Britain. It is a result of when they lived in or near a meadow. The surname Meddus is derived from the Old English words mæd and mædwe, which both mean meadow. The surname Meddus 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 Meddus family

The surname Meddus 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 Meddus family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meddus research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Meddus History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meddus Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name Meddus has undergone many spelling variations, including Meadowes, Meadows, Meadow, Meddows, Meddus, Meadus, Medus, Medis and many more.

Early Notables of the Meddus family

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

Migration of the Meddus family to Ireland

Some of the Meddus 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 Meddus family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Meddus were among those contributors: 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 Meddus 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: Mea dos virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue is my dower.

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.