Mutchler History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsMutchler is an ancient Norman name that arrived in England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Mutchler family 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 Mutchler familyThe surname Mutchler 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 Mutchler familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mutchler 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 Mutchler History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Mutchler Spelling VariationsNorman 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 Muschat, Muschet, Montfichett, Montfiquet and many more. Early Notables of the Mutchler familyOutstanding 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... Mutchler RankingIn the United States, the name Mutchler is the 11,011st most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 4
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 Mutchler or a variant listed above: Mutchler Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
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