Methelay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Methelay

What does the name Methelay mean?

Methelay is a name whose history on English soil dates back to the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066. The Methelay family lived in Methley, Yorkshire. Methley is situated midway between Leeds and Pontefract and the town dates back to Anglo-Saxon times.The village of Methley contains a fine church dating from the 14th century with family tombs and medieval carvings which inspired the sculptures of Henry Moore.

Early Origins of the Methelay family

The surname Methelay was first found in Yorkshire from very ancient times. At the taking of the Domesday Book in 1086 the village of Methley, midway between Leeds and Pontefract, was held by Ilbert de Lacy, a Norman noble who accompanied King William in his conquest of England at Hastings in 1066. The village of Methley contains a fine church dating from the 14th century with family tombs and medieval carvings which inspired the sculptures of Henry Moore.

Early History of the Methelay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Methelay research. Another 109 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1379 and 1614 are included under the topic Early Methelay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Methelay Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Methley, Methly, Mettley, Meythly, Methelay, Methlay and many more.

Early Notables of the Methelay family

More information is included under the topic Early Methelay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Methelay migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Methelay or a variant listed above:

Methelay Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Charles Methelay, who arrived in New York in 1891