Show ContentsMundey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Mundey was brought to England in the great wave of migration following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Mundey family lived in Derbyshire. The name, however, is a reference to the family's place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Mundeyville, Normandy where they inhabited the Abbey of Fecamp. 1 2

Early Origins of the Mundey family

The surname Mundey was first found in Derbyshire where "the Mundys of Marheaton, who trace their pedigree to temp. Edward I., have a tradition of Norman descent, from a place called the abbey of Mondaye. " 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 proved the scattered migration of the family by that time: Simon Moneday, Huntingdonshire; Simon Mundi, Cambridgeshire; and Henry Mundi, Cambridgeshire. 4 In Somerset, Edmund Moneday, was listed there temp. Edward III. 5

Further to the south in Cornwall, another branch of the family was found in the manor of Rialton in the hundred of Pyder. "In the days of Elizabeth, a previous compact having expired, Rialton, another manor, and the bailiffry of the hundred of Pyder, were leased out either to Richard Senhouse, or to Mr. Munday, the son of a Mr. Munday, who had previously acted as steward from the time of Henry VIII. It is certain that the Munday family continued from the reign of Elizabeth to be lessees under the crown until the year 1663, when the Mundays were succeeded by Sir Francis Godolphin." 6

Early History of the Mundey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mundey research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1529, 1555, 1560, 1584, 1591, 1630, 1633, 1657, 1685 and 1739 are included under the topic Early Mundey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mundey Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Mundy, Mondy, Monday, Munday, Mundie and others.

Early Notables of the Mundey family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was William Mundy (c. 1529-1591), an English composer of sacred music; and his son, John Mundy (c. 1555-1630), English composer and organist; Anthony Munday...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Mundey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Mundey family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Mundey or a variant listed above: Hugh and Henry Monday, who settled in New England in 1630; Elizabeth Mundy settled with her husband and servants in Barbados in 1679; Bridget Mundy and her husband settled in Maryland in 1684.


Contemporary Notables of the name Mundey (post 1700) +

  • Jack Mundey AO (1929-2020), Australian union and environmental activist, Councillor for the City of Sydney (1984-1987)
  • Judith Ann "Judy" Mundey (b. 1944), née Willcocks, an Australian feminist and left-wing activist, the first female president of the Communist Party of Australia


The Mundey 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: Deus providebit
Motto Translation: God will provide.


  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. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  3. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  4. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  5. Dickinson, F.H., Kirby's Quest for Somerset of 16th of Edward the 3rd London: Harrison and Sons, Printers in Ordinary to Her Majesty, St, Martin's Lane, 1889. Print.
  6. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print


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