Surname De Mowbray - Meaning and Origin
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De Mowbray: What does the surname De Mowbray mean?
The surname De Mowbray is of Norman origin and arrived in England following the Norman Conquest in 1066. It is geographically derived from the town of Montbrai in the Normandy region of France. In Old French, the word "mont" means "hill," while "brai" refers to "mud" or "clay." Therefore, the surname De Mowbray can be interpreted as "from the hill of mud/clay." Various members of the Mowbray family held significant positions, including the title of Duke of Norfolk, contributing to the name's prominence in the British aristocracy. De Mowbray was an influential surname during the Middle Ages in England, with the family members involved in various political and military affairs.
Order DNA origin analysisDe Mowbray: Where does the name De Mowbray come from?
The last name De Mowbray is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland today. The exact origin of the De Mowbray family name is not known, but it is believed to have originated as an inherited name from a Norman noble family that first appeared around the 11th century.
It is thought that the original De Mowbray family were of Norman descent and were rewarded for their services to William the Conqueror with estates in Cheshire, England, where the majority of early De Mowbray's lived. Over time, the De Mowbray family spread to other parts of England and Scotland and eventually to Ireland, where it is still commonly seen today.
Since the 15th century, records show the presence of De Mowbrays in the North Yorkshire region, particularly in the small hamlet of Mowbray, which was the home of William de Mowbray. After the 18th century, there were reports of the De Mowbray family line living throughout the United Kingdom and into the United States.
Today, there are thousands of people with the surname De Mowbray living all over the United Kingdom and Ireland, and there are individuals with the surname living in other parts of the world as well. It is likely that the name will continue to spread as emigrants search for new opportunities.
Variations of the surname De Mowbray
The surname De Mowbray originated in the British Isles. It is believed to have originated from the Norman French word ‘Moubray’, meaning ‘flat land’. It is most commonly spelled De Mowbray, but other variants include De Moubray, De Moubraye, Demoubray, Demowbray, Demoubraye and Mowbray.
The surnames De Mowbray and Mowbray can be found throughout the British Isles. In England, variants of the surname have been recorded in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Hampshire. In Scotland, the surname De Mowbray has been recorded in the North, East and South of the country.
Other forms of the surname include Moubray, Mowbrey, Moubraye, and Moubrey, as well as the Scottish forms Moubra and Moubrey. In addition, some Irish families are believed to have taken the Demowbray surname when it was anglicised from the Gaelic O Maolbraodha and O Maolbrighde.
The De Mowbray surname has been immortalised in popular culture in the form of the rhyme ‘three De Mowbrays always go hunting’. The rhyme tells the story of three De Mowbray brothers who always went hunting together. The rhyme has become a popular nursery tale in many parts of the British Isles.
Famous people with the name De Mowbray
- Vivien De Mowbray: British jewelry designer born in 1969.
- Sir John De Mowbray, 5th Baron Mowbray: an English politician who was active between 1300 and 1322.
- Hugh De Mowbray: a famous English military leader who fought in the Hundred Years War.
- Anne De Mowbray: one of the poorest heiresses of the Middle Ages and wife of Richard of York, later becoming the Duchess of York.
- Thomas De Mowbray: an English politician who fought in several wars and was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
- De Mowbray Baronets: a prestigious family of English baronets who were active between 1622 and 1787.
- William De Mowbray: a French actor, voice over artist, and composer, who has worked on major films like The Hunger Games series.
- Robert De Mowbray: an English solicitor and politician who was active in the 19th century.
- Sir Robert De Mowbray: an English military leader and Earl Marshal of England in the 14th century.
- Sir Richard De Mowbray: an English knight and nobleman who was active in the 15th century.