Melvyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of Melvyn

What does the name Melvyn mean?

The land of moorland bogs and fields of heather is the ancient homeland to the distinguished surname Melvyn. In Scotland, hereditary surnames were adopted according to fairly general rules and during the late Middle Ages, names that were derived from specific localities became increasingly widespread. Local names originally denoted the proprietorship of the village or estate. The Melvyn family originally lived in the village of Melville, in the county of Midlothian (now part of the region of Lothian).

Early Origins of the Melvyn family

The surname Melvyn was first found in Midlothian. The Melville family resided in this county as early as the mid-12th century, when King Malcolm IV of Scotland granted them the lands of Melville in 1160.

They are said to have arrived in Scotland from Malleville in Pays de Caux, Normandy, where they held the distinguished title of the Lords of Graville.

Another source is more specific: "The great Northern House of Melville claims this Norman as the patriarch of their race. Galfrid de Maleville, the earliest of the family who appears in Scottish history, had the honour of being the first Justiciary (Judiciary) of Scotland on record. From him derived the Earls of Melville. " 1

The parish of Lasswade in the county of Edinburgh was and ancient home of the family. "The principal seat is Melville Castle, the residence of Lord Viscount Melville, an elegant and spacious structure in the castellated style, with circular towers, erected about the close of the last century, on the site of an ancient house said to have belonged to David Rizzio, secretary to Mary, Queen of Scots." 2

Early History of the Melvyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Melvyn research. Another 176 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1535, 1545, 1547, 1597, 1617, 1621, 1622, 1636, 1683, 1695, 1707, 1741, 1742, 1753, 1754, 1890 and 1924 are included under the topic Early Melvyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Melvyn Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Melville, Melwell, Melwill, Malwyn, Melwyn, Melvile and many more.

Early Notables of the Melvyn family

Notable among the family at this time was Sir James Melville (1535-1617), Scottish diplomatist and memoir writer, was the third son of Sir John Melville, laird of Raith in the county of Fife; Andrew Melville (1545-1622), Scottish scholar, theologian and religious reformer; Alexander Melville (also Alexander Leslie), 5th Earl of Leven (1695-1754), Scottish peer, Lord High Commissioner (1741-1753), Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland (1741-1742)...
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Melvyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Melvyn family to Ireland

Some of the Melvyn family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 67 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Melvyn family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: James Melveill, who settled in Boston with his wife and servants in 1768; William Melvil settled in Maryland in 1747; James Melville settled in Granada in 1774.

Contemporary Notables of the name Melvyn (post 1700) +

Mr. Ian Melvyn Balderstone M.B.E., British Warrant Officer for the Royal Air Force, was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire on 29th December 2018 3
Dexter Melvyn Davies (1951-2018), Australian politician from Kellerberrin, Western Australia, Member of the Western Australian Legislative Council (1998â€“2001)
Kevin Melvyn Curren (b. 1958), South African former professional tennis player who played in two Grand Slam singles finals
Mr. Melvyn Roy Teare M.B.E., British recipient of Member of the Order of the British Empire on 8th June 2018, for services to the community and to local charities in St Albans 4
Sir Melvyn Francis Greaves C.B.E. (b. 1941), British Director of Centre for Evolution and Cancer, Professor of Cell Biology at the Institute of Cancer Research, was appointed the Knights Bachelor on 29th December 2018 for services to Childhood Leukaemia Research by her Majesty The Queen 3
Melvyn Hesselberg (1901-1981), birth name of Melvyn Douglas, American actor
Melvyn I. Weiss (b. 1935), American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from New York, 1996. Pleaded guilty in 2008 to federal charges of making illegal kickbacks to clients to induce them to sue;
Melvyn "Deacon" Jones (1943-2017), American organist and founding member of Baby Huey & the Babysitters
Melvyn "Mel" Charles (1935-2016), Welsh international footballer
Melvyn Goodale PhD, FRSC, Canadian neuroscientist, Director of the Brain and Mind Institute at the University of Western Ontario

The Melvyn Motto +

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: Denique coelum
Motto Translation: I shall enjoy heaven at last.

Sources +

Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62507, 28 December 2018 | London Gazette, The Gazette, Dec. 2018, www.thegazette.co.uk/honours-lists
"Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 4 July 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1