Mellady History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

The name Mellady comes from a name for a bold or impetuous person. The surname Mellady is derived from the Old English word modig, which means brave, impetuous, or bold. Occasionally, the surname Mellady is derived from the female personal name Melodia. In this case, this name is a metronymic surname, which is derived from the name of the mother. 1 2

Early Origins of the Mellady family

The surname Mellady was first found in Devon, where the source Old English Bynames lists Alwine Modi as living there c. 1100-1130. A few years later in Nottinghamshire, Godric Modi was listed c.1150. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists Adam Mody, Oxfordshire; Roger Mody, Salop (Shropshire); and Simon Modi, Cambridgeshire. In Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Johannes Mody, husband; Thomas Mody and Sibota uxor ejus; and Thomas Mody and Agnes uxor ejus. 1

"Moody is an ancient name that was represented in the reign of Edward I. by Mody and Mudy in Norfolk, and by Mody and Modi in Oxfordshire and Wilts (H. R.). Probably the Suffolk and Yorkshire name of Mudd or Mudde is another form of this name. Moody is a name that has also a home in the south and west of England in Hampshire and Somerset. William Moody possessed 29 acres in Partney, Lincolnshire, in 1616; and there was a John Moody, Esq., of Scremby, in this county, about 1750. The name of Moody was represented by Mody or Modi in the neighbouring county of Wiltshire 600 years ago." 4

We would be remiss if we did not mention of the family in Scotland. There, the first on record was "Johannes Modi [who] served on an inquest made at Peebles in 1262." 5

"William Mudy, merchant, had a safe conduct to visit England in 1365 with four companions, and William Mudy armiger, with two horsemen in 1367-1368. Sorlet, rector of Assend (Assynt) witnessed the charter of Bishop William (Mudy) to his brother-german Gilbert Mudy in 1455. Thome Mwdy and Robert Mwdy appear in Brechin in 1450, the former held land there in 1461 and in 1496 John Mwdy held land there. Mudy occurs in Perth in 1499, William Mwdye was chamberlain of Orkney in 1563, and Robert Mudie had a charter of part of the lands of Maistertoun in 1600. The direct line in Forfarshire endea on the death of John Mudie of Pitmuies in 1876. George Mudy was enrolled burgess of Dundee in 1576, and a burial place for Mudies was erected there in 1602." 5

Early History of the Mellady family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mellady research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1428, 1563, 1600, 1637, 1639, 1727, 1812 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Mellady History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mellady Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Mellady include Moody, Moodye, Moodie, Mudy, Mudie and others.

Early Notables of the Mellady family

Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mellady Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Mellady family to Ireland

Some of the Mellady family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 328 words (23 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Mellady family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Mellady or a variant listed above: Simon Moody settled in Virginia in 1635; Edward Moody settled in Virginia in 1654; David Moody settled in Barbados in 1680 with servants; James Moody in Virginia in 1663.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)