Show ContentsMessenger History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Messenger family

The surname Messenger was first found in Gloucestershire, where they held a family seat from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Messenger family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Messenger research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1150, 1296, 1405, 1482 and 1758 are included under the topic Early Messenger History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Messenger Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Messenger, Messinger, Messager, Messynger, Messengere and many more.

Early Notables of the Messenger family

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

Messenger Ranking

In the United States, the name Messenger is the 4,005th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1


United States Messenger migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Messenger Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Andrew Messenger who arrived in Boston Massachusetts in 1637 aboard the ship "Hector"
  • Hercules Messenger, who landed in Virginia in 1638 2
  • Thomas Messenger, who landed in Virginia in 1663 2
Messenger Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Richard Messenger, who arrived in Montserrat in 1700
  • John Messenger, who arrived in Maryland in 1729
Messenger Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • John and Maria Messenger, who settled in New York City in 1820
  • John Messenger, who arrived in New York, NY in 1825 2
  • Harry Messenger, who landed in New York, NY in 1832 2
  • Win Messenger, aged 24, who arrived in Key West, Fla in 1838 2
  • Adam Messenger, who arrived in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1846 2

Australia Messenger migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Messenger Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Samuel Messenger, English convict who was convicted in Surrey, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 3
  • Mr. Richard Messenger, English convict who was convicted in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Burrell" on 22nd July 1830, arriving in New South Wales 4
  • Thomas Messenger, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "David Malcolm" in 1848 5
  • James Messenger, aged 36, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Marion" in 1849 6
  • Louisa Messenger, aged 34, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Marion" in 1849 6
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Messenger migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Messenger Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Messenger, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Black Eagle" in 1861 7
  • Jane Messenger, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Black Eagle" in 1861 7
  • Mrs. Jane Messenger, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Black Eagle" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th November 1861 8
  • Mr. William Messenger, Scottish settler travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Black Eagle" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 19th November 1861 8
  • Richard Messenger, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Aloe" in 1863
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Messenger (post 1700) +

  • William R. Messenger, American Republican politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from Granby; Elected 1934; Elected unopposed 1936
  • Riley N. Messenger, American Democratic Party politician, Member of Wisconsin State Senate 19th District, 1848
  • John C. Messenger, American politician, Member of Pennsylvania State House of Representatives from Washington County, 1879-80
  • Jeff Messenger, American Republican politician, Member of Missouri State House of Representatives 130th District; Elected 2012
  • Hiram A. Messenger, American politician, Member of California State Assembly 17th District, 1880-81
  • Henry C. Messenger, American Republican politician, Member of Connecticut State House of Representatives from New Hartford; Elected 1912
  • David S. Messenger, American Republican politician, Candidate for Mayor of Worcester, Massachusetts, 1862
  • Randall Jerome "Randy" Messenger (b. 1981), American professional baseball pitcher
  • Robert Desmond "Rob" Messenger (b. 1962), Australian politician
  • Melinda Jayne Messenger (b. 1971), English ex-glamour model and broadcaster
  • ... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  4. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 5th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/burrell
  5. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) DAVID MALCOLM - EMIGRANT SHIP - 1848. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1848DavidMalcolm.htm
  6. State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) The MARION 1849. Retrieved from http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1849Marion.htm
  7. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  8. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook