| ![Show Contents]() Monell History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Today's generation of the Monell family bears a name that was brought to England by the migration wave that was started by the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Monell family lived in the places named Manley in Cheshire. The place-name was originally derived from the Old English word moene, which means common or shared, and leah, which means wood or clearing. 1 This surname is still found most frequently around the villages of Manley in Devon and Cheshire. Early Origins of the Monell familyThe surname Monell was first found in Cheshire at Manley, a village and civil parish in the union of Runcorn, Second division of the hundred of Eddisbury. 2 The township dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 when it was listed as Menlie. 3 "The manor of Manley in Cheshire was possessed in the reign of Henry III. by a family who assumed the name of the township, and held it as mediate lords under the Dones of Crowton." 4 This "family was an old one. Burke refers its origin to a 'Conqueror's follower' who appears as 'Manlay' in 'Battle Abbey Roll' (Holinshed, Chronicles, 1807, ii. 5). From the twelfth to the sixteenth century they resided in Chester, but in 1520 moved to Denbigh." 5 Despite the aforementioned, we must look to Devon to find the first listing in early rolls. It is there that William de Manelegh listed in 1202. Over one hundred years later, in Yorkshire, we found Alexander and James Manly in the Assize Rolls of 1363. 6 Cheshire proved to be stronghold of the family for centuries as the Wills at Chester listed Nicholas Manley, of Poulton, 1595, Ann Manley, of Chester, widow, 1618; and Thomas Manley, of Manley, husbandman, 1665. 7 Early History of the Monell familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Monell research. Another 162 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1157, 1520, 1621, 1622, 1626, 1628, 1629, 1640, 1646, 1655, 1659, 1667, 1672, 1688, 1699 and 1724 are included under the topic Early Monell History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Monell Spelling VariationsBefore English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Monell include Manley, Mandley, Mandly, Manly, Mannley and others. Early Notables of the Monell familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was John Manley (c 1622-1699), an English politician, Post Master General, Member of Parliament for Denbigh Boroughs in 1659; and Mary de la Riviere Manley (c1672-1724), an English writer, editor of The Examiner, probably best known for her two plays "The Lost Lover" and "The Royal Mischief." She was the daughter of Sir Roger Manley [q. v.], and was born about 1672 in Jersey, or, according to another version, at sea between Jersey and Guernsey. She lost her mother while she was young, and her father, who had literary tastes, does not appear to...
Another 269 words (19 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Monell Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.  Migration of the Monell family to Ireland
Some of the Monell 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.
| Monell migration to the United States | + |
In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Monells to arrive on North American shores:
Monell Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Edward Monell, aged 28, who landed in New York in 1812 8
Monell Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Maude Monell Monell, aged 27, who landed in America, in 1904
- Wye Monell, aged 38, who immigrated to the United States, in 1905
- Maude M. Monell, aged 28, who settled in America, in 1905
- Mary Monell, aged 72, who landed in America, in 1907
- Alice Monell, aged 27, who settled in America, in 1907
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Monell (post 1700) | + |
- Robert Monell (1787-1860), American Democratic Party politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Chenango County, 1814-15, 1825-26, 1828; U.S. Representative from New York, 1819-21, 1829-31 9
- Joseph Dwight Monell (1781-1861), American politician, Member of New York State Assembly from Columbia County, 1824 9
- Robert Monell (1786-1860), American lawyer and politician from New York
- Gilbert Monell Hitchcock (1859-1934), American congressman and U.S. Senator from Nebraska
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: Manus haec inimica tyrannis
Motto Translation: This hand is hostile to tyrants.
- Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
- Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
- Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
- Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
- Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
- 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)
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 2) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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Monell migration to the United States 
England
Ireland
