Show ContentsMostent History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the bearers of the Mostent surname lived in or near the Welsh settlement of Mostyn in Whitford. The surname Mostent belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Mostent family

The surname Mostent was first found in Flintshire (Welsh: Sir y Fflint), a historic county, created after the defeat of the Welsh Kingdom of Gwynedd in 1284, and located in north-east Wales, where they were descended from one of the fifteen noble tribes of Wales. In the 12th century they were Lords of the Manor of Mostyn, seated at Mostyn Hall. At the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086 Mostyn, was held by Robert of Rhuddlan from whom they may also be conjecturally descended. Another branch of the family was found in Moston, Cheshire. "The manor, in old records "Moreston," was given about 1125 to the convent of St. Werburgh, under which an estate was held here by a family who took their name from the township." 1

Early History of the Mostent family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mostent research. Another 112 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1567, 1621, 1622, 1642 and 1925 are included under the topic Early Mostent History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mostent Spelling Variations

Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when Welsh surnames came into use. Scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many spelling variations of particular Welsh names are very important. The surname Mostent has occasionally been spelled Mostyn, Mostin, Mostyne, Mosten, Mostine and others.

Early Notables of the Mostent family

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

Migration of the Mostent family

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many people from Wales joined the general migration to North America in search of land, work, and freedom. These immigrants greatly contributed to the rapid development of the new nations of Canada and the United States. They also added a rich and lasting cultural heritage to their newly adopted societies. Investigation of immigration and passenger lists has revealed a number of people bearing the name Mostent: John Mosten arrived in North America in 1750.



The Mostent 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: Auxilium meum a Domino
Motto Translation: My help is from the Lord.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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