Moses History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The vast movement of people that followed the Norman Conquest of England of 1066 brought the Moses family name to the British Isles. They lived in Shropshire. The name, however, is a reference to the family’s place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England, Moy, Normandy.

Early Origins of the Moses family

The surname Moses was first found in Shropshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The earliest reference to the name was Jeanne de Moy, a wealthy dowager widow of William Crispin IX, Baron of Bec in France about the year 1325. The name originated in Moy in Normandy. However, the name Moy became interpreted in northwestern England and Wales, and on the Welsh border as Moyes, Moyse, and Moses, even Moesen, the latter being a Welsh version being found in Denbigh, Llangollen and Wrexham. The name was also extended to Mostyn, and became attached to Vychan, Lord of Mostyn.

Early History of the Moses family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Moses research. Another 61 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1623 and 1688 are included under the topic Early Moses History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moses Spelling Variations

A multitude of spelling variations characterize Norman surnames. Many variations occurred because Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England also had a pronounced effect, as did the court languages of Latin and French. Therefore, one person was often referred to by several different spellings in a single lifetime. The various spellings include Moy, Moye, Moys, Moyse, Moyes, Moses, Moesen, Moi and others.

Early Notables of the Moses family (pre 1700)

More information is included under the topic Early Moses Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moses Ranking

In the United States, the name Moses is the 620^th most popular surname with an estimated 47,253 people with that name. [1] However, in South Africa, the name Moses is ranked the 395^th most popular surname with an estimated 18,125 people with that name. [2]

 Migration of the Moses family to Ireland

Some of the Moses family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Moses migration to the United States +

Many English families left England, to avoid the chaos of their homeland and migrated to the many British colonies abroad. Although the conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and some travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute, once in the colonies, many of the families prospered and made valuable contributions to the cultures of what would become the United States and Canada. Research into the origins of individual families in North America has revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Moses or a variant listed above: