Mullsworth History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of MullsworthWhat does the name Mullsworth mean? The name Mullsworth came to England with the ancestors of the Mullsworth family in the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Mullsworth family lived in a place named Molesworth in Cambridgeshire or a place named Mouldsworth in Cheshire. The place-name Molesworth is derived from the Old English word Mulesword, which is composed of the elements mul, which means mule, and word, which means enclosure. The place-name Mouldsworth is derived from the Old English words molda, which means the crown of the head or top of the hill, and word, which again means enclosure. 1 Early Origins of the Mullsworth familyThe surname Mullsworth was first found in Huntingdonshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Molesworth in that shire. Conjecturally they are descended from Eustace the Sheriff of Huntingdon who held his lands at the time of the taking of the Domesday Book from Countess Judith, a relation of Duke William of Normandy. "Sir Walter de Molesworth was one of Edward the 1st's Crusaders." 2 Some of the family were found at Tetcott in Devon since early times. "Tetcott House, the beautiful seat of Sir William Molesworth, Bart., was destroyed by fire in May, 1841." 3 In Cornwall, another ancient branch of the family was found. "The manor of St. Kew, which has long been in the Molesworths, is the property of Sir A. O. Molesworth." 4 Early History of the Mullsworth familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mullsworth research. Another 257 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1124, 1638, 1656, 1680, 1689, 1725, 1730 and 1758 are included under the topic Early Mullsworth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Mullsworth Spelling VariationsIt is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Mullsworth are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Mullsworth include Molesworth, Molesworthy, Mollsworth, Molsworth, Molswurth, Mollswurth, Mollswirth, Moleswirth, Mullsworth, Moldworth, Moldsworth and many more. Early Notables of the Mullsworth familyOutstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Hender Molesworth (1638-1689), 1st Baronet Molesworth of Pencarrow, Governor of Jamaica; Robert Molesworth (1656-1725), 1st Viscount Molesworth, British statesman, English and Irish landowner, Ambassador to Denmark, Ambassador to Sweden... Migration of the Mullsworth familyFaced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Mullsworth, or a variant listed above: Captain Moldsworth who settled in Boston Massachusetts in 1766; and members of the family who settled at Spring Garden in Jamaica and became known as Colonial Gentry..
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: Vincit amor patriae Motto Translation: My beloved country will conquer.
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