Show ContentsMogford History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Mogford is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Mogford family when they migrated to the region after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Mogford family lived in Mogford, Somerset. The parish no longer exists.

Early Origins of the Mogford family

The surname Mogford was first found in Somerset where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Farrington Gurney. Conjecturally they are descended from Azelin who held this manor from the Bishop of Coutances at the time of the taking of the Domesday Book survey in 1086 A.D.

Early History of the Mogford family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mogford research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the year 1700 is included under the topic Early Mogford History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mogford Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Moggs, Muggs, Muckford, Muckeford, Muckeforde, Muckforde, Moggeford, Mucksford, Mucksworth, Mucksworthy, Mugford, Mugglesworth, Mogford, Mogworthy, Mogsworthy and many more.

Early Notables of the Mogford family

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


Australia Mogford migration to Australia +

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

Mogford Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • John Mogford, English convict from Somerset, who was transported aboard the "Andromeda" on October 16, 1826, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 1

New Zealand Mogford 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:

Mogford Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. William Mogford, (b. 1840), aged 30, British labourer travelling from London aboard the ship 'Merope' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 27th October 1870 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Mogford (post 1700) +

  • Steven Lewis Mogford (b. 1956), British businessman, Chief Executive of United Utilities Group plc

HMS Repulse
  • Mr. James Windsor Mogford, British Yeoman of Signals, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 3


The Mogford 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: Cura pii diis sunt
Motto Translation: Pious men are a care to the gods.


  1. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Andromeda voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1826 with 147 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/andromeda/1826
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  3. HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html


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