Show ContentsMouskete History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Mouskete is a name that was carried to England in the great wave of migration from Normandy following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Mouskete family lived in Mousquette, Normandy, and ventured to England shortly after the Conquest in 1066. 1

Early Origins of the Mouskete family

The surname Mouskete was first found in Cambridgeshire where "William Muschet held of the Bishop of Ely in 1165. Later, he was Sheriff of Cambridgeshire 2 Richard I., as was William 'filius John Muschet' 6,9,11 and 12 Edward III.

Muschetts, a small manor still held under the Bishop of Ely, retains their name. Adam de Muschet, about 1240, held under Robert de Waledom at Great Peatling in Leicestershire. John Musket was Lord of Heccecomb, Somersetshire, in 1316. Robert Muschett of Gloucestershire and Hertfordshire, Ralph Muskett of Hertfordshire only, in the time of Edward I. At the same date 'Dominus William Muschett' was a considerable proprietor in Kent, and held land in Huntingdonshire. Roger Mushett gave some land at Benney to the Preceptory of Temple Rothley. In Dorsetshire, John Muskett held in Winterborne- St. Martin 20 Ed. III." 2

"The name occurs in Scotland from a very early period, but was there used as a familiar form of Montfichet. 'The corruption of names, arising from a tendency to abbreviate, and to adopt leading sounds, is conspicuous in the following instances, some of which occur in the Ragman Roll' " 2

Robert Osketell Muschet was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Suffolk in 1177 and later William Musket was found the Feet of Fines for Norfolk c. 1210. Later again, William Mouchet was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Cambridgeshire in 1327. 3

Early History of the Mouskete family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mouskete research. Another 128 words (9 lines of text) covering the year 1598 is included under the topic Early Mouskete History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mouskete Spelling Variations

Before the last few hundred years the English language had no fixed system of spelling rules. For that reason, spelling variations occurred commonly in Anglo Norman surnames. Over the years, many variations of the name Mouskete were recorded, including Musket, Muscat, Muscet, Muskett, Muskatt, Muskat, Muskot, Muskott, Mousket, Mouskett, Mouskette, Mousquette, Muskit, Muskitt and many more.

Early Notables of the Mouskete family

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

Migration of the Mouskete family

The unstable environment in England at this time caused numerous families to board ships and leave in search of opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad in places like Ireland, Australia, and particularly the New World. The voyage was extremely difficult, however, and only taken at great expense. The cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels caused many to arrive diseased and starving, not to mention destitute from the enormous cost. Still opportunity in the emerging nations of Canada and the United States was far greater than at home and many went on to make important contributions to the cultures of their adopted countries. An examination of many early immigration records reveals that people bearing the name Mouskete arrived in North America very early: David Musket who settled in New York State in 1775 with his two sons; James Musket settled in Maryland in 1743; Sarah Muskett settled in Virginia in 1670.



  1. The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
  2. 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
  3. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook