Show ContentsMordey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Mordey family

The surname Mordey was first found in Bedfordshire (Old English: Bedanfordscir), located in Southeast-central England, formerly part of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Mercia. "Turvey in Bedfordshire was the principal seat of this noble Norman family, descended from Osbert le Mordaunt, who came over from Normandy with William the Conqueror, and received a grant of the lordship of Radwell in that county." 1 Another reference is more specific: "their patriarch was Sir Osbert le Mordaunt, who possessed Radwell, co. Bedfordshire, by gift of his brother, who had received it from the Conqueror, for services rendered by himself and his father." 2 The parish of Mordon (Morden) in Durham was home to another branch of the family. "This place gave name to a resident family, of whom mention occurs in the 14th century. The name was perhaps originally Moredun, or "the moorish hill," from the elevation of the place above a marsh. " 3

Early History of the Mordey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mordey research. Another 188 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1505, 1621, 1623, 1626, 1642, 1648, 1649, 1650, 1663, 1675, 1681, 1692, 1695, 1697, 1698, 1701, 1702, 1703, 1705, 1707, 1708, 1710, 1715, 1720 and 1721 are included under the topic Early Mordey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mordey Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mordaunt, Mordan, Morden, Mordon, Mordant and others.

Early Notables of the Mordey family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir John Mordaunt (died c.1505), an English politician of the Tudor period, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Speaker of the House of Commons; Henry Mordaunt, 4th Baron Mordaunt; John Mordaunt, 1st Earl of Peterborough (died 1642), an English peer; John Mordaunt, 1st Viscount Mordaunt (1626-1675), who was an English Royalist, the second son of John Mordaunt, 1st Earl of Peterborough (died 1642.) In June 1648, he joined his brother, Henry Mordaunt (1621-1697) in leading a Royalist uprising, and fled with him to the Continent...
Another 93 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mordey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Australia Mordey migration to Australia +

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

Mordey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Mordey, English convict who was convicted in Durham, England for 20 years, transported aboard the "Edwin Fox" on 24th August 1858, arriving in Western Australia, Australia


The Mordey 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: Nec placido contenta quiete est
Motto Translation: Nor is content with quiet repose.


  1. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  3. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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