Modritch History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Wales

The origins of the Welsh name Modritch go back to the ancient Celtic culture that existed in the hills and Moors of Wales. The forbears that initially held the name Modritch once lived in or near the settlement of Mogridge in the southwestern English county of Devon. The surname Modritch belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Modritch family

The surname Modritch was first found in Breconshire (Welsh: Sir Frycheiniog), a traditional county in southern Wales, which takes its name from the Welsh kingdom of Brycheiniog (5th-10th centuries), where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Modritch family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Modritch research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Modritch History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Modritch Spelling Variations

Although there are comparatively few Welsh surnames, they have a great many spelling variations. Variations of Welsh names began almost immediately after their acceptance within Welsh society. In the Middle Ages, it was up to priests and the few other people that recorded names in official documents to decide how to spell the names that they heard. Variations that occurred because of improper recording increased dramatically as the names were later transliterated into English. The Brythonic Celtic language of Wales, known by natives as Cymraeg, featured many highly inflected sounds that could not be properly captured by the English language. Spelling variations were, however, also carried out according to an individual's design: a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were all indicated by the particular variation of one's name. The spelling variations of the name Modritch have included Muggeridge, Mugeridge, Mugridge, Moderidge, Modridge and many more.

Early Notables of the Modritch family

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

Migration of the Modritch family

Many Welsh joined the great migrations to North America in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Like their Scottish and Irish neighbors, many Welsh families left their homeland hoping to find hope and prosperity in a land that the English did not exercise a tight rule over. Those Welsh immigrants that successfully traveled to North America went on to make significant contributions to the rapid development of both Canada and the United States in terms of the settling of land and the establishment of industry. They also added to the rich cultural heritage of both countries. An examination into the immigration and passenger lists has discovered a number of people bearing the name Modritch: Charles Mugridge, who settled in Charleston in 1822; Francis Mugridge, who settled in Georgian in 1732; as well as J. Mugridge, who arrived in California in 1852..

The Modritch 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: Dat deus incrementum
Motto Translation: God gives increase.