Moy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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The name Moy was brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Moy family lived in Shropshire. The name, however, is a reference to the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England, Moy, Normandy.

Early Origins of the Moy family

The surname Moy was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The earliest reference to the name was Jeanne de Moy, a wealthy dowager widow of William Crispin IX, Baron of Bec in France about the year 1325. The name originated in Moy in Normandy. However, the name Moy became interpreted in northwestern England and Wales, and on the Welsh border as Moyes, Moyse, and Moses, even Moesen, the latter being a Welsh version being found in Denbigh, Llangollen and Wrexham. The name was also extended to Mostyn, and became attached to Vychan, Lord of Mostyn.

Early History of the Moy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Moy research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1623 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Moy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moy Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Moy, Moye, Moys, Moyse, Moyes, Moses, Moesen, Moi and others.

Early Notables of the Moy family

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

Moy Ranking

In the United States, the name Moy is the 5,530^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name Moy is ranked the 5,131^st most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2

Migration of the Moy family to Ireland

Some of the Moy family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moy migration to the United States +

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Moy or a variant listed above:

Moy Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

John Moy, who landed in Virginia in 1655 3
Elizabeth Moy, who arrived in Maryland in 1665 3
Richard Moy, who landed in Maryland in 1665 3
James Moy, who arrived in Maryland in 1675 3

Moy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Tho Moy, who landed in Virginia in 1706 3
Francois Moy, aged 36, who landed in Louisiana in 1719 3
Francois Moy who settled in Louisiana in 1719
William Moy, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1761 3
Killian Moy, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1761 3
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Moy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Christian Jans Moy, aged 28, who landed in New York in 1848 3
Joseph Moy, aged 24, who arrived in New Orleans, La in 1848 3
Dennis, Edward, and Hugh Moy, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1853

Moy migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Moy Settlers in Canada in the 17th Century

Mr. Pierre Moy, French settler travelling to Canada for work arriving on 5th April 1644 4

Moy migration to Australia +

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

Moy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. John Moy, (b. 1821), aged 20, Irish agricultural labourer from Donegal, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 5
Mr. Peter Moy, (b. 1812), aged 29, Irish gentleman's servant from Donegal, Ireland departing on 8th July 1841 from Greenock, Scotland aboard the ship "New York Packet" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 23rd October 1841 6
William Moy, who arrived in Adelaide, Australia aboard the ship "Canton" in 1846 7

Contemporary Notables of the name Moy (post 1700) +

Sylvia Rose Moy (1938-2017), American songwriter and record producer associated with the Motown Records group
Christopher Andrew Moy (b. 1992), American singer and a former member of the teen group Menudo
Matthew Moy, American television, film, and voice actor
Edmund C. Moy (b. 1957), American politician, 38th Director of the United States Mint
George V. W. Moy, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from New Jersey, 1912 8
Deborah L. Moy, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from California, 1988 8
Bart Moy, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 2000 8
James Moy (b. 1977), British award-winning photographer