Matraves History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Matraves family

The surname Matraves was first found in Dorset where "Hugh Maltravers witnessed Henry I.'s charter to Montacute, and Stephen William Maltravers gave 1,000 marks of silver and £100 for the widow and lands of Hugh de la Val during the term of fifteen years, and then to have the benefit of her dowry and marriage." 1

Later in Somerset, during the reign of Henry I., "Hugh Maltravers was a witness to the Charter made by that Monarch to the Monks of Montacute. " Another Maltravers "during the 5th of Stephen gave one thousand marks of silver and one hundred pounds for the widow of Hugh Delaval and lands of the said Hugh, during the term of fifteen years. " 2

"Their home was at Wellcombe, and several manors in the county, Lytchet Maltravers, Loders Maltravers, Worth Maltravers, as well as Childrey Maltravers in Berkshire. Sir John Maltravers was Seneschal of the Household to Edward I., and another Sir John his son, who served in the Scottish wars, and was taken prisoner at the battle of Bannockburn, had summons to parliament as John Maltravers in 1327." 1

Some believe that Lord Maltravers took part in the cruel murder of Edward II. After the death, he fled to Germany where he stayed for a number of years due to the judgement of death awaiting him should he return to England. Eventually he was granted a pardon by Edward III for his services abroad and was granted safe passage. Edward III granted Maltravers Governor of the Isles of Guernsey, Alderney and Sarke. 2

It should be noted that the death of Edward II., at Berkeley Castle was surrounded with controversy. Some say he was murdered, others say he died of natural causes. Whatever the case, Maltravers was one of the people charged with tending to the care of Edward II.

Early History of the Matraves family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Matraves research. Another 151 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1084, 1136, 1306, 1330, 1345, 1405, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Matraves History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Matraves Spelling Variations

Multitudes of spelling variations are a hallmark of Anglo Norman names. Most of these names evolved in the 11th and 12th century, in the time after the Normans introduced their own Norman French language into a country where Old and Middle English had no spelling rules and the languages of the court were French and Latin. To make matters worse, medieval scribes spelled words according to sound, so names frequently appeared differently in the various documents in which they were recorded. The name was spelled Maltravers, Matraves, Matravers, Mattravers and many more.

Early Notables of the Matraves family

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

Migration of the Matraves family

Because of this political and religious unrest within English society, many people decided to immigrate to the colonies. Families left for Ireland, North America, and Australia in enormous numbers, traveling at high cost in extremely inhospitable conditions. The New World in particular was a desirable destination, but the long voyage caused many to arrive sick and starving. Those who made it, though, were welcomed by opportunities far greater than they had known at home in England. Many of these families went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Matraves or a variant listed above: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Citations +

Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.