Mellforth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Of all the Anglo-Saxon names to come from Britain, Mellforth is one of the most ancient. The name is a result of the original family having lived in one of the various settlements called Milford in Derbyshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, and the West Riding of Yorkshire, or in the place called Long Melford in the county of Suffolk. The surname Mellforth belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Mellforth family

The surname Mellforth was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, as Lords of the manor of Milford, in the diocese of York. This did not appear in the Domesday Book in 1080, and it must be assumed that the manor emerged about the 12th or 13th century.

Early History of the Mellforth family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mellforth research. Another 84 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1273, 1292, 1379, 1618, 1644, 1704 and 1725 are included under the topic Early Mellforth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mellforth Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Mellforth has been spelled many different ways, including Milforde, Milford, Millford, Millforde, Melford and many more.

Early Notables of the Mellforth family

Distinguished members of the family include Samuel "Fish Hook" Mulford (1644–1725), an American who went to London in 1704 to protest the tax on whale oil, which he used in farming. Warned beforehand of the sly workings of pickpockets in...
Another 39 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mellforth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Mellforth family to Ireland

Some of the Mellforth 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 Mellforth family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Mellforths to arrive in North America: David Milford who settled in Annapolis Maryland in 1729; Sarah Milford settled in Virginia in 1653; Samuel and Elizabeth Milford settled in New York State in 1820.