Moody History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Moody

What does the name Moody mean?

Moody is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name. It was a name given to a person who was a bold or impetuous person. The surname Moody is derived from the Old English word modig, which means brave, impetuous, or bold. Occasionally, the surname Moody is derived from the female personal name Melodia. In this case, this name is a metronymic surname, which is derived from the name of the mother. 1 2

Early Origins of the Moody family

The surname Moody was first found in Devon, where the source Old English Bynames lists Alwine Modi as living there c. 1100-1130. A few years later in Nottinghamshire, Godric Modi was listed c.1150. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 lists Adam Mody, Oxfordshire; Roger Mody, Salop (Shropshire); and Simon Modi, Cambridgeshire. In Yorkshire, the Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 included: Johannes Mody, husband; Thomas Mody and Sibota uxor ejus; and Thomas Mody and Agnes uxor ejus. 1

"Moody is an ancient name that was represented in the reign of Edward I. by Mody and Mudy in Norfolk, and by Mody and Modi in Oxfordshire and Wilts (H. R.). Probably the Suffolk and Yorkshire name of Mudd or Mudde is another form of this name. Moody is a name that has also a home in the south and west of England in Hampshire and Somerset. William Moody possessed 29 acres in Partney, Lincolnshire, in 1616; and there was a John Moody, Esq., of Scremby, in this county, about 1750. The name of Moody was represented by Mody or Modi in the neighbouring county of Wiltshire 600 years ago." 4

We would be remiss if we did not mention of the family in Scotland. There, the first on record was "Johannes Modi [who] served on an inquest made at Peebles in 1262." 5

"William Mudy, merchant, had a safe conduct to visit England in 1365 with four companions, and William Mudy armiger, with two horsemen in 1367-1368. Sorlet, rector of Assend (Assynt) witnessed the charter of Bishop William (Mudy) to his brother-german Gilbert Mudy in 1455. Thome Mwdy and Robert Mwdy appear in Brechin in 1450, the former held land there in 1461 and in 1496 John Mwdy held land there. Mudy occurs in Perth in 1499, William Mwdye was chamberlain of Orkney in 1563, and Robert Mudie had a charter of part of the lands of Maistertoun in 1600. The direct line in Forfarshire endea on the death of John Mudie of Pitmuies in 1876. George Mudy was enrolled burgess of Dundee in 1576, and a burial place for Mudies was erected there in 1602." 5

Early History of the Moody family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Moody research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1297, 1428, 1563, 1600, 1637, 1639, 1727, 1812 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Moody History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moody Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Moody has appeared include Moody, Moodye, Moodie, Mudy, Mudie and others.

Early Notables of the Moody family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Moody, Chamberlain of the Orkneys

Moody World Ranking

In the United States, the name Moody is the 401^st most popular surname with an estimated 69,636 people with that name. 6 However, in Australia, the name Moody is ranked the 895^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,382 people with that name. 7 And in New Zealand, the name Moody is the 708^th popular surname with an estimated 1,006 people with that name. 8 The United Kingdom ranks Moody as 619^th with 10,649 people. 9

Migration of the Moody family to Ireland

Some of the Moody family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 328 words (23 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Moody migration to the United States +

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Moody arrived in North America very early:

Moody Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Mr. William Moody, (Moudey), who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Mary & John" 10
Mrs. Sarah Moody, (Moudey), who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Mary & John" 10
Mr. Joshua Moody, (Moudey), who arrived in New England in 1634 aboard the ship "Mary & John" 10
Symon Moody, aged 20, who landed in Virginia in 1635 aboard the ship "Globe" 11
Samuel Moody, who landed in New England in 1635 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Moody Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

George Moody, who arrived in Virginia in 1701 11
Sarah Moody, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 11
Benjamin Moody, who arrived in New York in 1798 11

Moody Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

James Moody, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 11
Robert Moody, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1817 11
William Moody, who landed in New York in 1831 11
Nelson Moody, aged 20, who arrived in Missouri in 1849 11
J Moody, who landed in San Francisco, California in 1850 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Moody Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Andrew Fred Moody, who landed in Wisconsin in 1907 11

Moody migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Moody Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Moody, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1778
Col. James Moody U.E. (b. 1744) born in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, USA from Sussex County, New Jersey, USA who settled in Weymouth, Nova Scotia c. 1784 married to Elizabeth Britain having 4 children, he died in 1809 12
Mr. Stephen Moody U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 12
Mr. Walter Moody U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 12

Moody Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Mr. Robert Moody, aged 22 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Argo" departing from the port of Liverpool, England but died on Grosse Isle on 5th June 1847 13
Miss. Mary Moody, aged 1 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Argo" departing 4th May 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 12th June 1847 but she died on board 14

Moody migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Moody Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Benjamin Moody, British Convict who was convicted in Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 4th December 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 15
Mr. Thomas Moody, British Convict who was convicted in Monmouthshire, Wales for 7 years, transported aboard the "Earl Spencer" in May 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 16
John Moody, English convict from Wiltshire, who was transported aboard the "Asia" on October 22nd, 1824, settling in New South Wales, Australia 17
Mr. Frederick Moody, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Countess of Harcourt" on 29th April 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 18
Henrietta Moody, English convict from Middlesex, who was transported aboard the "America" on December 30, 1830, settling in Van Diemen's Land, Australia 19
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Moody 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:

Moody Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

William Gilbert Ford Moody, aged 20, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Clifton" in 1842
Miss Mary Moody, (b. 1857), aged 9 months, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1858 20
Mrs. Fanny Moody, (b. 1822), aged 36, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1858 20
Mr. William Moody, (b. 1822), aged 36, British labourer travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1858 20
Mr. Ambrose Walter Moody, (b. 1846), aged 12, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1858 20
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Moody migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 21

Moody Settlers in West Indies in the 17th Century

David Moody, who settled in Barbados in 1680 with servants

Contemporary Notables of the name Moody (post 1700) +

Tom Moody (d. 2022), American visual artist, critic and blogger based in New York City
William Henry Moody (1853-1917), American politician and jurist, eponym of the USS Moody (DD-277)
John Moody (1868-1958), American financial analyst and investor, founder of Moody's Investment Services
Ralph Moody (1917-2004), American NASCAR, co-owner of Holman Moody
Orville Moody (1933-2008), American professional golfer, winner of 1969 U.S. Open
Lewis Walton Moody MBE (b. 1978), English international rugby union rugby player
Michael Joseph "Micky" Moody (b. 1950), English guitarist
David Moody (b. 1970), English horror writer
Becky Moody (b. 1980), British horse breeder and dressage competitor who competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Ivan Moody (1964-2024), British composer and musicologist
... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Moody family +

Halifax Explosion

Mrs. Elizabeth Moody (1849-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Miss Ruth Moody (1913-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Mrs. Ann Moody (1881-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22
Master William Moody (1915-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 22

HMS Cornwall

John Moody (d. 1942), British Able Seaman aboard the HMS Cornwall when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 23

HMS Hood

Mr. Walter Moody (b. 1921), English Ordinary Signalman serving for the Royal Navy from Ealing, London, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 24

RMS Lusitania

Miss Martha Moody, Irish 2nd Class passenger from Limavady, County Londonderry, Ireland, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 25
Mrs. Martha Moody, Irish 2nd Class passenger from Limavady, County Londonderry, Ireland, who sailed aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 25

USS Arizona

Mr. Robert Edward Moody, American Seaman First Class from Mississippi, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 26

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Guppy, Henry Brougham, Homes of Family Names in Great Britain. 1890. Print.
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 47)
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 89)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 22nd March 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/coromandel-and-experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 8th September 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/earl-spencer
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Asia 1 voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1824 with 9 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/asia/1824
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 19th April 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/countess-of-harcourt
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2014, November 26) America voyage to Van Diemen's Land, Australia in 1830 with 135 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/america/1830
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_West_Indies
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
Force Z Survivors Crew List HMS Cornwall (Retrieved 2018, February 13th) - Retrieved from https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listcornwallcrew.html#A
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html