Show ContentsMuggeridge History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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

Early Origins of the Muggeridge family

The surname Muggeridge 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 Muggeridge family

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

Muggeridge Spelling Variations

Compared to other ancient cultures found in the British Isles, the number of Welsh surnames are relatively few, but there are an inordinately large number of spelling variations. These spelling variations began almost as soon as surname usage became common. As a result, people could not specify how to spell their own names leaving the specific recording up to the individual scribe or priest. Those recorders would then spell the names as they heard them, causing many different variations. Later, many Welsh names were recorded in English. This transliteration process was extremely imprecise since the Brythonic Celtic language of the Welsh used many sounds the English language was not accustomed to. Finally, some variations occurred by the individual's design: a branch loyalty within a family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations were indicated by spelling variations of one's name. The Muggeridge name over the years has been spelled Muggeridge, Mugeridge, Mugridge, Moderidge, Modridge and many more.

Early Notables of the Muggeridge family

Prominent amongst the family during the late Middle Ages was

  • Muggeridge of Castle Baynard


Australia Muggeridge migration to Australia +

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

Muggeridge Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Robert Muggeridge, British Convict who was convicted in Kent, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Asia" on 5th November 1835, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land)1836 1

New Zealand Muggeridge 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:

Muggeridge Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Charles Muggeridge, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1860
  • Sarah Ann Muggeridge, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1860
  • John Muggeridge, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Wild Duck" in 1860

Contemporary Notables of the name Muggeridge (post 1700) +

  • Edward James Muggeridge, known as "Eadweard Muybridge", 19th century English photographer, born
  • Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990), British journalist and author
  • Karl Muggeridge (b. 1974), Australian motorcycle racer
  • Henry Thomas "H. T." Muggeridge (1864-1942), UK politician
  • Douglas Muggeridge, former controller of BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2
  • Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990), English journalist
  • Thomas Malcolm Muggeridge (1903-1990),


The Muggeridge 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.


  1. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 28th January 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1835


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