Molson History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Molson is a name that was brought to England by the ancestors of the Molson family when they migrated to the region after the Norman Conquest in 1066. The Molson family lived in Devon. The name, however, is a reference to the family’s place of residence prior to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066, Meules in Calvados, in the arrondisement of Lisieux in the canton of Orbec, Normandy. [1]

Early Origins of the Molson family

The surname Molson was first found in Devon where they were under tenants of Baldwin FitzGilbert, Sheriff of Devon. Typical of the family’s early benevolence, the parish of Skirbeck in Lincolnshire was the site of an early hospital.

Interestingly, the first record of the name appears before the Domesday Book of 1086 which is very unique. Ælfgar de Muletune, a Saxon was found in Suffolk c. 975. Later, Thomas de Moleton, de Multon was registered in the Pipe Rolls for Lincolnshire in 1166. [2]

“An hospital for ten persons, founded here in honour of St. Leonard, was given in 1230 by Sir Thomas Multon, Knt., to the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, who dedicated it anew to St. John the Baptist. In the time of Edward II., its revenue was sufficient for the maintenance of four priests, of twenty people in the infirmary, and for the daily relief of forty more at the gate.” [3]

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 list the following: Agnes de Multon in Norfolk, 1273; Thomas de Multon in Lincolnshire; Adam de Multon in Cambridgeshire; and Alex, de Multon in Oxfordshire. [4]

Early History of the Molson family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Molson research. Another 177 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1634, 1591, 1617, 1616, 1582, 1638, 1624, 1634, 1628, 1576 and 1661 are included under the topic Early Molson History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Molson 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 Moulson, Moulton, Molson, Molton and others.

Early Notables of the Molson family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Thomas Moulson, or Mowlson (1582-1638), an alderman, Sheriff of London in 1624 , Lord Mayor of London in 1634 and represented the City… 
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Molson Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

 Molson migration to the United States +

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 Molson or a variant listed above: 

Molson Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Rebecca Molson, who arrived in Virginia in 1656 [5]
• Henry Molson, who landed in Virginia in 1658 [5]
• Thomas Molson, who landed in Maryland in 1663 [5]

Molson Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Joseph Molson, who landed in America in 1772