The present generation of the Maudley family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon
culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the settlement of Mawdesley in the county of Lancashire
. The surname Maudley belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation
names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.
Early Origins of the Maudley family
The surname Maudley was first found in Lancashire
at Mawdesley, a township, in the parish of Croston, union of Chorley, hundred
of Leyland. "Adam de Mawdesley was a ward of the duchy of Lancaster in the reign of Edward III.; Robert Mawdesley, the last of this ancient family, was living at Mawdesley Hall about 1760. " CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Early History of the Maudley family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Maudley research.Another 133 words (10 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Maudley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Maudley Spelling Variations
Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations
in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon
and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Maudley include Mawdesley, Maudesley, Maudsley and others.
Early Notables of the Maudley family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Maudley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products
and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Maudley family to the New World and Oceana
Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England
at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Maudley were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Henry Maudesley settled in Boston in 1635; Richard Maudesley settled in Philadelphia in 1852; John Mawdesley settled in New England
in 1630; Mary Mawdesley settled with her husband and two children in Philadelphia in 1822.