The Modlin surname comes from when the Modlin family lived in the settlement of Medlicott in the English border county of
Shropshire. The surname Modlin belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.
Early Origins of the Modlin family
The surname Modlin was first found in
Shropshire, at Medlicott, a parish in Wentnor. It is generally believed that the oldest record of the family was Llewelyn de Modlicott who resided here c. 1180. He was son of Sir Roger de Meldron (died c. 1200.)
By the Hundredorum Rolls of 1273, some of the family were found in Devonshire where Richard de Middlecote was listed as holding lands at that time. [1]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) "The ancient Shropshire family of Medlicott, which took its name from a manor, flourished in the 13th century. The Medlycott family of Ven House, Milborne Port, Somerset, originally came from Shropshire." [2]CITATION[CLOSE]
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Early History of the Modlin family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Modlin research.
Another 278 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1593, 1586 and 1625 are included under the topic Early Modlin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Modlin Spelling Variations
Welsh surnames are relatively few in number, but they have an inordinately large number of
spelling variations. There are many factors that explain the preponderance of
Welsh variants, but the earliest is found during the Middle Ages when
Welsh surnames came into use. Therefore, scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, which often resulted in a single person's name being inconsistently recorded over his lifetime. The transliteration of
Welsh names into English also accounts for many of the spelling variations: the unique
Brythonic Celtic language of the
Welsh had many sounds the English language was incapable of accurately reproducing. It was also common for members of a same surname to change their names slightly, in order to signify a branch loyalty within the family, a religious adherence, or even patriotic affiliations. For all of these reasons, the many
spelling variations of particular
Welsh names are very important. The surname Modlin has occasionally been spelled Medlicot, Medlicott, Medlycot, Medlycott, Medlicote, Medleycot, Medleycott, Medleycote, Modlicot, Modlicote and many more.
Early Notables of the Modlin family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Modlin Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Modlin family to Ireland
Some of the Modlin family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 142 words (10 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 Modlin family to the New World and Oceana
In the 1800s and 1900s, many
Welsh families left for North America, in search of land, work, and freedom. Those who made the trip successfully helped contribute to the growth of industry, commerce, and the cultural heritage of both Canada and the United States. In the immigration and passenger lists were a number of people bearing the name Modlin Daniel Medlicott who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1683.
Contemporary Notables of the name Modlin (post 1700)
- Elmer Modlin (1925-2003), American film and television actor, husband of Margaret Marley Modlin
- Margaret Marley Modlin (1927-1998), née Marley, an American surrealist painter, sculptor and photographer from Robeson County, North Carolina
- Andrew Modlin (b. 1987), American artist and co-founder of MedMen
- George Matthews Modlin (1903-1998), American academic, President of the University of Richmond (1946-1971)
The Modlin Motto
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: Dat cura quietem
Motto Translation: Vigilance ensures tranquility.