| ![Show Contents]() Middlemas History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of MiddlemasWhat does the name Middlemas mean? The name Middlemas is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from the place name Middlemass, a district near Kelso in the Borders region of Scotland, so named from northern Middle English word "midelmast," meaning "middlemost." Alternatively, the name be from Michaelmas, denoting the season or day that the child was born. 1 2 3 Early Origins of the Middlemas familyThe surname Middlemas was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat at Middlemarsh. 4 5 Middlemarsh is also a tything, in the parish of Mintern-Magna, union of Cerne, hundred of Cerne, Totcombe, and Modbury, Cerne division of Dorset. 6 Early records in England are scarce but we did find on record of Thomas de Meddelmersee in 1297. 5 So we must look to Scotland for early entries for the family. "The Middlemasses were vassals and tenants of the district around Kelso, and derived their surname from 'lie Middlemestlands in villa et territorio de Calco,' mentioned in 1029. William de Meldiemast who petitioned for a benefice in the gift of the abbot of Kelso, 1406 (Pap. Pet., I, p. 624) was probably Schir Wilyeam Myddilmast, the 'lwvit chapellain' of Archibald de Douglas, earl of Wigtoun, vicar of Selkirk in the first quarter of the fifteenth century." 7 Early History of the Middlemas familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Middlemas research. Another 350 words (25 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1425, 1439, 1495, 1497, 1513, 1530, 1537, 1566, 1567, 1590, 1603, 1610, 1611, 1612, 1629, 1652, 1665, 1670, 1674, 1692 and 1742 are included under the topic Early Middlemas History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Middlemas Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, French and other languages became incorporated into English through the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Middlemas include Middlemass, Middlemas, Middlemaist, Middlemiss and many more. Early Notables of the Middlemas familyMore information is included under the topic Early Middlemas Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Middlemas family to IrelandSome of the Middlemas 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.
| Middlemas migration to the United States | + |
A great wave of immigration to the New World was the result of the enormous political and religious disarray that struck England at that time. Families left for the New World in extremely large numbers. The long journey was the end of many immigrants and many more arrived sick and starving. Still, those who made it were rewarded with an opportunity far greater than they had known at home in England. These emigrant families went on to make significant contributions to these emerging colonies in which they settled. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:
Middlemas Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Joseph Middlemas, who settled in New York, NY in 1825
| Middlemas migration to Australia | + |
Emigration to Australia included the First Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include: First Fleet - Mr. John Middlemas, British settler convicted at Norfolk, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 8
Following the First Fleet, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include: Middlemas Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century- Mr. William Middlemas, (Middberry), English convict who was convicted in Town of Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 13th March 1828, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
- Charles Middlemas, aged 39, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Epaminondas" 10
| Contemporary Notables of the name Middlemas (post 1700) | + |
- John Robert Middlemas (1936-2025), American politician, served as a Democratic member for the 8th district of the Florida House of Representatives
- Rich Middlemas, American Academy Award winning producer, known for Undefeated (2011) and The Town That Came A-Courtin' (2014)
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: Forward
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
- Barber, Henry, British Family Names London: Elliot Stock, 62 Paternoster Row, 1894. Print.
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, 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)
- Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
- Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
- South Australian Register Monday 26th December 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Epaminondas 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/epaminondas1853.shtml
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