Mesterson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancient Anglo-Saxon culture once found in Britain is the soil from which the many generations of the Mesterson family have grown. The name Mesterson was given to a member of the family who was a son of a substantial landholder who employed laborers to work his lands. The surname Mesterson is derived from the Old English word maister. This word comes from the Old French word maistre, which in turn is derived from the Latin word magister, which means master. The surname Mesterson also features the common patronymic suffix -son, which was most popular in the north of England and superseded other patronymic suffixes during the 14th century.

Early Origins of the Mesterson family

The surname Mesterson was first found in Cheshire where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the Mesterson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mesterson research. Another 62 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mesterson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mesterson Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Mesterson family name include Masterson, Mesterson, Masterstone and others.

Early Notables of the Mesterson family

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

Migration of the Mesterson family to Ireland

Some of the Mesterson family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 53 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Mesterson family

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, the Canadas, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Mesterson surname or a spelling variation of the name include : Mary Masterson and her husband settled in Plymouth in 1629; Mary, Nathaniel, Richard, Sarah Masterson settled in Plymouth 1629; Bridget, Hannah and James Masterson settled in Boston in 1849.

The Mesterson 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: Pro Deo et rege
Motto Translation: For God and the king.