| ![Show Contents]() Meldon History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Ireland Etymology of MeldonWhat does the name Meldon mean? The surname Meldon originally comes from the Gaelic as Ó Maolduin, a patronymic name meaning "descendent of Maolduin." The personal name Maolduin is composed of the elements "maol," meaning "chieftain," and "dún," meaning "fortress." Early Origins of the Meldon familyThe surname Meldon was first found in County Sligo (Irish: Sligeach), in the province of Connacht in Northwestern Ireland, where they had been anciently seated at Enniscrone and said to be directly descended from King Niall of the Nine Hostages, Ireland's General Commander/King who died in the fourth century. From his twelve sons many tribes are descended including O'Caomhain who controlled the tribes from the River Gleoir to the Easky, a tract of land which included the homes of about 30 tribes, including the Muldoons. Some of the first records of the family appeared as a forename. Máel Dúin mac Áedo Bennán (died 661) was King of Iarmuman (West Munster.) A few years later, Máel Dúin mac Conaill (died 688) was a king in Dál Riata (now Western Scotland). Early History of the Meldon familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Meldon research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1700 is included under the topic Early Meldon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Meldon Spelling VariationsJust like the English language, the Gaelic language of Ireland was not standardized in the Middle Ages. Therefore, one's name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origins of the Meldon family name include Muldoon, O'Muldoon, Meldon, O'Meldon, Maoldoon and many more. Early Notables of the Meldon familyMore information is included under the topic Early Meldon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Meldon migration to the United States | + |
Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Meldon name:
Meldon Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Sarah Meldon, who settled in Baltimore in 1827
| Meldon migration to New Zealand | + |
Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: Meldon Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century- John Meldon, aged 18, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rodney" in 1875
- Eliza M. Meldon, aged 42, a governess, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rodney" in 1875
- Mary J. Meldon, aged 24, a parlourmaid, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rodney" in 1875
- Bedelia Meldon, aged 22, a parlourmaid, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rodney" in 1875
- Kate J. Meldon, aged 21, a parlourmaid, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Rodney" in 1875
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Contemporary Notables of the name Meldon (post 1700) | + |
- Patrick M. Meldon, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for U.S. Representative from Vermont 1st District, 1910, 1912, 1912 1
- George Edward "Edgar" Pugin Meldon (1875-1950), Irish cricketer and surgeon
- William Waltrude "Budge" Meldon (1879-1957), Irish cricketer
- George James Meldon (1885-1951), Irish cricketer
- Charles Henry Meldon LL.D., QC (1841-1892), Irish barrister and nationalist politician, Member of Parliament for Kildare (1874-1885)
- Philip Albert Meldon (1874-1942), Irish cricketer who played in the 1900s
- Louis Albert Meldon (1886-1956), Irish cricket and tennis player who played in the early 1900s
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: Pro fide et patria
Motto Translation: For faith and my country.
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