Moltend History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Moltend is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Moltend family lived in Devon. The name, however, is a reference to the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Meules in Calvados, in the arrondisement of Lisieux in the canton of Orbec, Normandy. 1

Early Origins of the Moltend family

The surname Moltend was first found in Devon where they were under tenants of Baldwin FitzGilbert, Sheriff of Devon. Typical of the family's early benevolence, the parish of Skirbeck in Lincolnshire was the site of an early hospital.

Interestingly, the first record of the name appears before the Domesday Book of 1086 which is very unique. Ælfgar de Muletune, a Saxon was found in Suffolk c. 975. Later, Thomas de Moleton, de Multon was registered in the Pipe Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1166. 2

"An hospital for ten persons, founded here in honour of St. Leonard, was given in 1230 by Sir Thomas Multon, Knt., to the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, who dedicated it anew to St. John the Baptist. In the time of Edward II., its revenue was sufficient for the maintenance of four priests, of twenty people in the infirmary, and for the daily relief of forty more at the gate." 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list the following: Agnes de Multon in Norfolk, 1273; Thomas de Multon in Lincolnshire; Adam de Multon in Cambridgeshire; and Alex, de Multon in Oxfordshire. 4

Early History of the Moltend family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Moltend research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1576, 1582, 1591, 1616, 1617, 1624, 1628, 1634, 1638 and 1661 are included under the topic Early Moltend History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moltend Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Moltend were recorded, including Moulson, Moulton, Molson, Molton and others.

Early Notables of the Moltend family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Thomas Moulson, or Mowlson (1582-1638), an alderman, Sheriff of London in 1624 , Lord Mayor of London in 1634 and represented the City...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Moltend Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Moltend family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Moltend arrived in North America very early: Thomas Moulston, who arrived in Virginia in 1623; Thomas Moulton, who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1630 with his wife Jane; John Moulton, who settled in New England in 1637 with his wife and five children.

The Moltend 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: Regi fidelis
Motto Translation: Faithful to the king.

Citations +

The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)