| ![Show Contents]() Meldred History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
England
Etymology of MeldredWhat does the name Meldred mean? The Anglo-Saxon name Meldred comes from the female personal name Mildred, which is derived from the Old English forename Mildthryth. This was a common name during the medieval period due to the popularity of St. Mildred. 1 St Mildryth or Mildryth (d. 700?), was a "saint and abbess, younger sister of St. Milburg, who was destined by her mother, Eormenburga or Domneva, to a conventual life. Mildred, who was a girl of excellent disposition, was therefore sent to the nunnery of Chelles, about twelve miles to the east of Paris. While she was there a kinsman of the abbess Wilcoma wished to marry her; the abbess favoured his suit, and persecuted Mildred for refusing him; she shut Mildred into a hot oven, and kept her there for three hours, but Mildred came out unhurt. On another day the abbess beat her and tore out her hair. Mildred sent her mother a tress of her torn-out hair and a little psalter that she had written for her, with a request that her mother would help her. Eormenburga sent for her, but the abbess would not let her go. However, she escaped, and taking with her some precious relics that she had bought sailed for England. She landed at Ebbsfleet, and the stone on which she stepped on landing was impressed by her foot, and many were healed there." 2 Early Origins of the Meldred familyThe surname Meldred was first found in Lancashire, where William filius Meldred was listed in the Pipe Rolls of 1175. Later Richard Mildryth was recorded in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327 and John Myldrede was recorded in London in 1379. 1 Early History of the Meldred familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meldred research. Another 47 words (3 lines of text) covering the years 1175, 1196, 1327 and 1379 are included under the topic Early Meldred History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Meldred Spelling VariationsOne relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Meldred has appeared include Mildred, Mildreth, Mildredd, Mildryth, Meldred, Meldreth, Meldryth, Meldryd, Mildrath and many more. Early Notables of the Meldred familyMore information is included under the topic Early Meldred Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Meldred familyAt this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Meldred arrived in North America very early: Charles Mildred settled in Washington County, Pennsylvania in 1838.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
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