Muchmore History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the Muchmore family brought their name to England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. They lived in "Monfichet, or Montfiquet, in the arrondissement of Bayeaux, said to be so named from their Scandinavian ancestor. " 1 2

Early Origins of the Muchmore family

The surname Muchmore was first found in Essex at Stansted Mountfitchet, a village and civil parish in the union of Bishop-Stortford that dates back to the Domesday Book when it was listed as Stanesteda.

By c.1290, the village was known as Stansted Mounfichet from the Muntfichet (Montfitchet) family who resided there since the 12th century. 3

However, other records date back further revealing Robert Gernon Montfitchet holding lands there at the time of the Conquest that included a castle, of which there are still some remains. Another source claims the name is "descended from Robert Gernon, a great tenant in [the] Domesday [Book]. His son, according to Morant, took this name from the castle of Stanstead, county Essex, from the raised mount which he there constructed. " 2

"The castle of Montfichet long remained, as well as the Church of St. Catherine in the castle, a foundation of this family. About 1050 Robert, surnamed Guernon (moustache), Baron of Montfichet, witnessed a charter of Duke William (Gall. Christ. xi. Instr. 229). He had issue, 1, William de Montfichet, who d. s. p., when the barony devolved on William, the son of his brother; 2, Robert Guernon or Gernon, who held a great barony in Essex, &c., 1086. From his elder son William de Montfichet descended the Barons of that name, whose seats were at Stanstead Montfichet, Essex, and Montfichet Tower, London, of which city the Montfichets were hereditary standard-bearers or military chiefs in time of war. The younger branches retained the name of Gernon. Alured Gernon, brother of William de Montfichet, had estates in Essex and Middlesex 1130 (Rot. Pip.). Matthew, his son, 1135 witnessed a charter of William Montfichet (Mon. i. 803). Ralph, his son, 1165, held a fief from Montfichet in Essex, and was granted Bakewell, Derbyshire, by Richard I." 1

Early History of the Muchmore family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Muchmore research. Another 181 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1214, 1296, 1312, 1542, 1543, 1544, 1556 and 1557 are included under the topic Early Muchmore History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Muchmore 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 Muchmore were recorded, including Muschat, Muschet, Montfichett, Montfiquet and many more.

Early Notables of the Muchmore family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Richard Mitch (fl. 1557), English lawyer, of an Essex family, educated at Cambridge (B.A. 1542, M.A. 1544). He was admitted a fellow of St. John's College 14 March 1542-1543, but subsequently removed to Trinity Hall. Mitch was an active opponent at Cambridge of the growth of the reformed religion. "In 1556 Mitch was one of the examiners of John Hullier, preacher, of Lynn...
Another 71 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Muchmore Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Muchmore migration to Canada +

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 Muchmore arrived in North America very early:

Muchmore Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Jonathan Muchmore U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1784 4

Contemporary Notables of the name Muchmore (post 1700) +

William M. Muchmore, American politician, Member of New Jersey State House of Assembly from Morris County, 1856 5
James C. Muchmore, American politician, Delegate to New Hampshire State Constitutional Convention from Woodstock, 1948 5
Elmer Muchmore, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate in primary for Ohio State House of Representatives from Hamilton County, 1938 5
Dr. Harold G. Muchmore, American field leader of Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, at the South Pole, 1970-83, eponym of Muchmore Valley, Antarctica
Marie M. Muchmore (1909-1990), one of the witnesses to the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy

Citations +

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
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2016, January 27) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html