Show ContentsMellody History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Mellody Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Mellody

What does the name Mellody mean?

The name Mellody is part of the ancient legacy of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. Mellody was a name used for a bold or impetuous person. The surname Mellody is derived from the Old English word modig, which means brave, impetuous, or bold. Occasionally, the surname Mellody 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 Mellody family

The surname Mellody 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 Mellody family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mellody 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 Mellody History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mellody Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Mellody include Moody, Moodye, Moodie, Mudy, Mudie and others.

Early Notables of the Mellody family

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

Migration of the Mellody family to Ireland

Some of the Mellody 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.

Mellody migration to Australia +

Mellody Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • William Mellody, aged 31, a farm labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship "Henry Moore"

Contemporary Notables of the name Mellody (post 1700) +

  • Mellody Gomez, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Illinois, 2008 6
  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  4. Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
  5. 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)
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html

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