Show ContentsMiskelly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the Miskelly family

The surname Miskelly was first found in Shropshire where the family name was first referenced in the 12th century when Richard, son of Mescelin, held the estates in 1187. He is believed to be descended from William de Meschines, younger brother of Ranulph, 3rd Earl of Chester, who was descended from the Viscounts of Bessin, in the Department of Calvados in Normandy, and who held the honor of Skipton, in Yorkshire, from Richard Banistre, a Norman Baron of Cheshire who also held lands in Capite in Shropshire. Robert is mentioned as witness to a deed in 1106. There is also a vague relationship to Robert of Rhudlan, kinsman of Duke William. Richard, descendent of William, who was an under-tenant in Shropshire in 1187.

Up in Cumberland, more early records of the family were found. "The township lies between the river Ehen on the east, and the Irish Sea on the west, and contains the venerable remains of Egremont Castle, built soon after the Conquest by William de Meschines, the first Baron of Copeland, and still exhibiting traces of strength and grandeur." 1

Early History of the Miskelly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Miskelly research. Another 191 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1165, 1172, 1203, 1455, 1487, 1510, 1600, 1611, 1660, 1679, 1811 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Miskelly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Miskelly Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Mascelin, Maskelyne, Maskelyne, Masculine, Masculyne, Maslen, Maslin, Mechen, Meshin, Machine, Miskin, Meskin, Meschine and many more.

Early Notables of the Miskelly family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Miskelly Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Miskelly family to Ireland

Some of the Miskelly family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 102 words (7 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Miskelly migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Miskelly Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Kitty Miskelly, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 2
  • Owen Miskelly, aged 25, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 2
  • William Miskelly, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1823 2
  • William Miskelly, aged 9, who arrived in New York in 1854 2
  • Cathr Miskelly, aged 40, who arrived in New York in 1854 2

Miskelly migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Miskelly Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Patrick Miskelly, (b. 1797), aged 25, Irish butcher who was convicted in County Down, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 3rd September 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 3

Miskelly migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Miskelly Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Miss Rosa Miskelly, (b. 1843), aged 19, Irish dairywoman from County Down, travelling from London aboard the ship "Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 25th September 1862 4
  • Margaret Miskelly, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Caroline Coventry" in 1869 5
  • Susan Miskelly, who arrived in Lyttelton, New Zealand aboard the ship "Caroline Coventry" in 1869 5


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
  4. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 5th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook