Mullineux History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Norman Conquest of England in 1066 brought much change to the island nation, including many immigrants with new names. Among these immigrants were the ancestors of the Mullineux family, who lived in Lancashire. The name however, is a reference to the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Molineaux-Sur-Seine, near Rouen, in Normandy.

Early Origins of the Mullineux family

The surname Mullineux was first found in Lancashire as "an ancient Norman family, who have been possessed of the manor of Sefton, in this county, from the period of the Conquest, or very soon afterwards: it was held as a knight's fee, as of the Castle of Lancaster." 1 William de Molines was the first recorded ancestor. "Previously to the Conquest, 'Sextune,' one of the original parishes of Lancashire, was held by five thanes. The family of Molyneux or Molines subsequently settled here. William des Molines, so named from Moulines, a town of Bourbonnois, in France, is mentioned in the Norman Chronicles as a man of noble origin, held in high esteem by the Duke William, afterwards William I. of England. In the roll of Battle Abbey, his name stands the eighteenth in order; and soon after the Conquest, he acquired, by gift of Roger de Poictou, the lordships of Sefton, Thornton, and Kerden, of which he made Sefton his chief seat. " 2

We now wish to draw the reader's attention to the township of Netherton in the parish of Sefton. "Sir William Molyneux, who received the honour of knighthood in the 46th of Henry III., gave by a deed without date, to William, son of his brother Roger, certain lands in Netherton, to hold by knight's service and the yearly rent of one halfpenny; and Sir William, a member of the same family, gave lands in Netherton to his son, John, about the reign of Richard II. The township is still the property of the family of Molyneux." 2

Over in Kirby more records of the family were found. "Adam de Molynes, lord of Sefton, in the reign of William II. married Annotta, heiress of Benedict, son of Roger Gernet; and this place has ever since remained in the family of Molyneux, of Sefton." 2

The parish of Altcar in Lancashire has an interesting feature of the family's history. "Little Altcar is a hamlet adjacent to Formby; and Altcar Hall is an ordinary farmhouse, over the door of which were formerly the arms of the noble family of Molyneux." 2

"Croxteth Hall, [in West Derby, Lancashire] formerly called Barret's Hall, the chief seat of the earl of Sefton, is situated in this township on the borders of Croxteth Park, from which it takes its name. The Molyneux family acquired it in Henry VI's reign, when Sir Richard Molyneux was steward of the manor, and about 1540 was one of the chief residences of the Molyneux family." 3

Early History of the Mullineux family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mullineux research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1594, 1598, 1616, 1620, 1624, 1636, 1651, 1654, 1656, 1685, 1693, 1696, 1698, 1699, 1702 and 1759 are included under the topic Early Mullineux History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mullineux 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 Mullineux were recorded, including Molinieux, Molinaux, Molineaux, Molineux, Molinex and many more.

Early Notables of the Mullineux family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Thomas Molyneux of Horton; Emery Molyneux (d. 1598), English Elizabethan maker of globes, mathematical instruments and ordnance; Richard Molyneux, 1st Viscount Molyneux (1594-1636); Richard Molyneux, 2nd Viscount...
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mullineux Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Mullineux family to Ireland

Some of the Mullineux family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Mullineux 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 Mullineux arrived in North America very early: James Molinex settled in Philadelphia in 1685; Edward Molineux, who arrived in Virginia in 1719; Jonathon Molineaux, who came to Maryland in 1726; Samuel Molineaux, who settled in Philadelphia in 1846.

Citations +

Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
'Townships: Scarisbrick', in A History of the County of Lancaster: Volume 3, ed. William Farrer and J Brownbill (London, 1907), pp. 265-276. British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/lancs/vol3/pp265-276 [accessed 21 January 2017].