Meadowes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Meadowes

What does the name Meadowes mean?

Meadowes is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from a family once having lived in or near a meadow. The surname Meadowes is derived from the Old English words mæd and mædwe, which both mean meadow. The surname Meadowes belongs to the class of topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees.

Early Origins of the Meadowes family

The surname Meadowes was first found in Suffolk at Witnesham, a parish, in the union of Woodbridge, hundred of Carlford. "The family of Meadows, from a branch of which the present Earl Manvers is descended, have had a seat here since the time of Richard III." 1

Early History of the Meadowes family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meadowes research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Meadowes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Meadowes Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Meadowes has been recorded under many different variations, including Meadowes, Meadows, Meadow, Meddows, Meddus, Meadus, Medus, Medis and many more.

Early Notables of the Meadowes family

Meadowes of Witnesham

Migration of the Meadowes family to Ireland

Some of the Meadowes 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.

Meadowes migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Meadowes or a variant listed above:

Meadowes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Anne Meadowes settled with her husband in Virginia in 1684

Contemporary Notables of the name Meadowes (post 1700) +

Jayne Meadowes, Actress

The Meadowes Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Mea dos virtus
Motto Translation: Virtue is my dower.

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.