Musson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

England

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When the ancestors of the Musson family emigrated to England following the Norman Conquest in 1066 they brought their family name with them. They lived in Yorkshire. Their name is thought to be derived from the place-name, Moucon, in Normandy, although another account suggests that it is a variation of the French name Musset. Both theories are considered valid, but historians disagree on which applies to individual cases.

Early Origins of the Musson family

The surname Musson was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat in the large village of Muston in the East Riding of that County shown at the taking of the Domesday Book in 1068 to be held by Gilbert de Ghent (Flanders) from the King. Gilbert held the Manor at that time and, conjecturally, the family are believed to be descended from this Norman noble. The village name Muston or Musson is also believed to be related to a Norman family name of Moucon, and may have been the surname of Gilbert of Ghent (Flanders) or Gand, or a member of his family. Gilbert was one of the most highly honored Barons who assisted Duke William at Hastings in 1066. He became Baron Folkingham, possibly a nephew of Queen Matilda, and held no less than 172 English manors.

Early History of the Musson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Musson research. Another 184 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1094, 1207, 1326, 1373, 1473 and 1509 are included under the topic Early Musson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Musson Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Musson have been found, including Muston, Musson, Moucon, Mussen, Mustons, Mussin, Musin, Muson, Musten, Moussen, Mousson, Mussons, Mustain, Mustin and many more.

Early Notables of the Musson family

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

Musson Ranking

In the United States, the name Musson is the 15,106^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Musson migration to the United States +

For many English families, the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. For such families, the shores of Ireland, Australia, and the New World beckoned. They left their homeland at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. Many arrived after the long voyage sick, starving, and without a penny. But even those were greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. Numerous English settlers who arrived in the United States and Canada at this time went on to make important contributions to the developing cultures of those countries. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Musson were among those contributors:

Musson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

James Musson, who arrived in Virginia in 1658 from England
James Musson, who landed in Virginia in 1658 2

Musson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William Musson, who arrived in New York, NY in 1796 2
William Musson, who arrived in New York in 1796

Musson migration to Australia +

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

Musson Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Richard Musson, aged 22, a mason, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Omega" 3
Joseph Musson, aged 58, who arrived in South Australia in 1854 aboard the ship "Emigrant" 4

Musson 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:

Musson Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. William Musson, (b. 1836), aged 25, English farm labourer, from Leicestershire travelling from London aboard the ship "Royal Stuart" arriving in Lyttlelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 8th October 1861 5
Mr. Robert Musson, (b. 1840), aged 26, British farm labourer travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "Bombay" arriving in Lyttelton, South Island, New Zealand on 18th August 1866 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Musson (post 1700) +

Jayson Scott Musson, American artist
Michel Musson, American politician, Postmaster at New Orleans, Louisiana, 1849-53 7
Chick Musson (1920-1955), English professional footballer
Wing Commander Rowland Gascoigne Musson (1912-1943), English cricketer and pilot killed in action
Jeremy Musson (b. 1965), English author, editor and presenter
Major General Alfred Henry Musson CB, CBE (1900-1995), English cricketer and British Army officer
General Sir Geoffrey Randolph Dixon Musson GCB CBE DSO (1910-2008), English General, Adjutant-General to the Forces in the British Army
Ian M Musson, American Professor of Mathematical Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Jacques Musson, French gold and silver medalist slalom canoer
Peter Musson (b. 1940), New Zealand-born, Autstralian former principal Bassoonist in the Queensland Symphony Orchestra
... (Another 2 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)