Musschampe History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Musschampe was first found in Lincolnshire Roger, Baron Muschamp held Wilgebi in 1086 and Robert de Muscam his son, Seneschal to Gilbert de Gand, had issue, Hugh, a benefactor of Nostel Priory in the time of Hen. I. 2

This Hugh, who appears in the Liber Niger as a landowner in York and Lincoln, has left his name to Muskam in Nottinghamshire, which he held of Henry Murdac, Archbishop of York. He had a park, and no doubt a residence, at South Muskam, where some of his land was granted to Rufiford Abbey, his last gift being made " when he rendered himself to the fellowship of the monks." 3 His son and heir Robert confirmed his grants, and completed the church he had commenced building at Rufford. Robert's three sons, Ralph, Robert, and Andrew, all died s. p., and in 1223 Ralph de Gresley entered into possession of their inheritance as the husband of their sister Isabel. At North Muskam, Thomas de Muschamp held of Robert de Everingham's fee in 1165 3, and was succeeded there by at least four generations of descendants, but Thoroton only carries the pedigree down to 1323, when the manor was disposed of by Thomas de Muschamp. 2

A more important branch of the family was seated in Northumberland, where Reginald de Muscamp is mentioned in 1130 (Rot. Pip.). Robert de Muscamp (perhaps his brother) received from Henry I. a barony of four knights' fees in Bambroughshire, and chose Wooler-a small market town to the east of the Cheviots-as the head of his honour. His son Thomas, who joined Prince Henry's rebellion in 11 72, and married Maud de Vesci, the daughter of the Lord of Alnwick, was the grandfather of another Robert, considered the mightiest Baron in the North of England. 2

A William de Muschampe of Barmoor Castle (about a mile W. from Lowick) is mentioned in 1272 : and his descendant George Muschampe was twice High Sheriff of Northumberland under Queen Elizabeth.

North Middleton is of particular importance to the family. "This place was, with South Middleton, anciently the estate of Robert de Muschamp, and a member of his lordship of Wooler: the manor became divided into North and South about the end of the reign of Henry III., and in the time of Henry IV. the former part was held by John de Farmelawe." 4

Geoffrey de Muschamp (d. 1208), "Bishop of Lichfield and Coventry, was probably a member of the family of Muschamp, barons by tenure of Wallovere in Northumberland. Geoffrey was appointed Archdeacon of Cleveland in 1189, after the death of Henry II, and without the knowledge of King Richard. Geoffrey of York had made use of his position as chancellor to affix the late king's seals on his own authority, probably acting on directions given by Henry before his death. He was consecrated by Hubert at Canterbury on 21 June 1198 (his own autograph in the archives of Canterbury). He was present at [King] John's coronation in May 1199 and at the council of Westminster in 1200. In 1204 he appears as a commissioner to decide the suit between the Bishop of Worcester and abbey of Evesham." 5