| ![Show Contents]() Meddowes History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of MeddowesWhat does the name Meddowes mean? The Anglo-Saxon name Meddowes comes from the family having resided in or near a meadow. The surname Meddowes is derived from the Old English words mæd and mædwe, which both mean meadow. The surname Meddowes 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 Meddowes familyThe surname Meddowes 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 Meddowes familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meddowes research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Meddowes History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Meddowes Spelling VariationsMeddowes has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Spelling variants included: Meadowes, Meadows, Meadow, Meddows, Meddus, Meadus, Medus, Medis and many more. Early Notables of the Meddowes familyMore information is included under the topic Early Meddowes Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Meddowes family to IrelandSome of the Meddowes 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.
| Meddowes migration to the United States | + |
In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Meddowess to arrive on North American shores:
Meddowes Settlers in United States in the 17th Century- Henry Meddowes, aged 20, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Transport" 2
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.
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
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