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![Show Contents]() M'alees History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Wales
The Welsh name M'alees is derived from the hills and Moors of Wales where a very particular Celtic people, known as the Britons, thrived. This surname is derived from the Welsh personal name Mabon, which means a child or great son. According to Welsh literature and mythology, Mabon ap Modron, the son of Modron, is a member of King Arthur's war band. Early Origins of the M'alees familyThe surname M'alees was first found in Cornwall, at St. Mabyn, a parish, in the union of Bodmin, hundred of Trigg. 1 "St. Mabyn is indebted for its name to one of the large sainted family that came into this country from Wales. One of these, a female, whose name was Maben, fixed her hermitage in this district, which still retains her name. This name seems to have been appropriated to the parish at an early period; since in the first valor in 1294, we find the name of Ecclesia Sanctae. Mabenae applied to the present rectory not far from Wadebridge. Of the personal history of this female saint, very little is at present known." 2 Early History of the M'alees familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our M'alees research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early M'alees History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. M'alees Spelling VariationsWelsh 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 M'alees has occasionally been spelled Maben, Mabon, Mabin, Mabben and others. Early Notables of the M'alees familyMore information is included under the topic Early M'alees Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the M'alees familyIn 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 M'alees: Edward Mabin settled in Virginia in 1623; Andrew Maben arrived in Philadelphia in 1864; another Andrew Mabin arrived in Philadelphia in 1879.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
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