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{{Other uses}}
{{Infobox family name
{{Infobox surname
| name = Molyneux
| name = Molyneux
| image = Coatoarm.gif
| image = MolyneuxArms.svg
| image_size =
| image_size =
| caption = The [[Cross moline]] became a common theme in the seal of most Molyneux descents.
| caption = [[Canting arms]] of Molyneux: ''Azure, a [[cross moline]] or''
| meaning = "[[Moulineaux]]", derived from the [[French language|French]] Moulin (meaning "mill of the waters")<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mx-world.org/Resources/MemberSites.aspx |title=International Molyneux Family Association |publisher=Mx-world.org |date= |accessdate=2016-04-09}}</ref>
| pronunciation = ({{IPA-en|ˈmɒlinyu}})
| region = [[France]]
| meaning = "[[Moulineaux]]", derived from the French Moulin ({{lang-en|mill of the waters}})<ref>[http://www.mx-world.org/Resources/MemberSites.aspx]</ref>
| language = Old French
| region = [[Ireland]], [[United Kingdom]], [[Normandy]]
| variant = Mullenax, Mullinax, Molinex, Mullinix, Mullenneix, Mullennix, Mullenix, Mullineaux, Molinieux, Molinaux, Molineaux, Mollineaux, Molineux, Mulling, Molyneaux, Mullinax, Mollinux, Millineux
| language = Norman
| family =
| related names = Molinex, Mullinix, Mullenneix, Mullineaux, Molinieux, Molinaux, Molineaux, Mollineaux, Molineux,
| clans =
| prefix =
| prefix =
}}
}}
[[File:Coatoarm.png|thumb|Shields showing differing [[Crest (heraldry)|crests]] of branches of the Molyneux family]]
'''Molyneux''' ({{IPA-en|ˈmɒlinyu}})([[Old Norman]]: ''De Molines'' or ''De Moulins'') is a surname of [[Anglo-Norman]] origin. The name has been linked primarily to a large family that settled in the [[Lancashire]], [[United Kingdom]] from [[Normandy]] in the first wave of families along with [[William the Conqueror]] in 1066. By the [[14th century]] the Molyneux family had become so large that it split into three main branches; the [[Lancashire]] line, who became the [[Earl of Sefton|Earls of Sefton]], the [[Nottingham]] line, and the [[Calais]] line, from family still left over in Normandy. The two nobility branches during the [[Middle Ages]] were the [[Earl of Sefton|English Branch]] and the [[Molyneux baronets|Irish Branch]], from these three genetic lines extended a plethora of variation in the name that has now spread across the globe.<ref>http://www.mx-world.org/default.aspx</ref>

'''Molyneux''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|m|ɒ|l|ᵻ|nj|uː}}; [[Old French]]: ''De Molines'' or ''De Moulins'') is a [[French name|French]] [[surname]]. The surname has been linked primarily to a large [[French people|French]] family that settled in [[Lancashire]], England. By the 14th century the Molyneux family had split into three main branches: the Lancashire line, who became the [[Earl of Sefton|Earls of Sefton]]; the [[Nottingham]] line; and the [[Calais]] line, from those remaining in France. There was also a branch of the family who were [[Molyneux baronets|Irish baronets]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mx-world.org/default.aspx |title=International Molyneux Family Association |publisher=Mx-world.org |date= |access-date=2016-04-09}}</ref>


==Etymology and history==
==Etymology and history==
The ancestors of the Molyneaux family arrived in [[England]] in medieval times. The name "de Molines" or "de Moulins", [[Old French]] in origin, meaning "Mill", and eventually changed into "Molyneux". The early historical background of the family is sparse, coming from scattered genealogical, historical, and archaeological sources, composed of a mixture of [[legend]], romanticized literary invention, and fact. Some historians deduce the ''de Moulins'' came from [[Moulineaux|Moulineaux-sur-Seine]], near [[Rouen]], in [[Normandy]].
The ancestors of the Molyneaux family who arrived in [[England]] around the time of the [[Norman Conquest of England|Norman Conquest of 1066]] bore the name "de Molines" or "de Moulins", [[Old Norman]] in origin, meaning "Mill". The later changed "Molyneux" is an [[Anglo-Norman]] spelling variation, meaning "Mill of the water". The family belongs to [[Haplogroup I-M438 (Y-DNA)|haplogroup I2a2a]], which is about 30,000 years old tracing it's roots to Scandinavia. They came from [[Moulineaux|Molineaux-sur-Seine]], near [[Rouen]], in [[Normandy]] where they were guardians of [[Château de Robert-le-Diable]] also known as Château de Moulineaux.<ref>The Norman people and their existing descendants in the British dominions and the United States of America: Henry S. King & Co., 1874</ref> The first common ancestor of the family is recorded to be Robert De Moulins of Château de Moulineaux in Molineaux-Sur-Seine, follower of William of Normandy. Although dismissed as false by most genealogists, family tradition states he was the illegitimate son of [[Peter Abelard]] and [[Héloïse d’Argenteuil]], Astrolabe, with a changed name. Research suggests the ''De Moulins'' family supplied flour to William the Conqueror's army via a mill on the river [[Seine]] near present day [[Moulineaux|Molineaux-sur-Seine]], [[France]] prior to the invasion of England.<ref>http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~imfa/imfamembers.html</ref> Robert De Moulin's son, William (''Guillaume de Moulines Sir de Falaise'' as listed in many sources where [[Companions of William the Conqueror]] are noted) settled in [[Lancashire]] and was granted lands by Duke [[William of Normandy]], his liege Lord, for his assistance at the [[Battle of Hastings]] in 1066. He had two sons William and Vivian De Moulins<ref>History, Genealogical and Biographical, of the Molyneux Families
[[Image:St Helen's Church, Sefton.jpg|thumb|left|[[St Helen's Church, Sefton|St. Helen's Church]] was built as the Molyneux family chapel in [[Sefton, Merseyside|Sefton]] [[Merseyside]] in 1170.]] Other sources claim the family originally came from [[Moulins, Allier|Moulins, France]] in the region of [[Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes]]. Wherever their origin, Robert de Moulins' son, William, settled in [[Lancashire]]. He had two sons, William and Vivian de Moulins. William was granted large tracts of land in Lancashire, in what was then called ''inter Mersam et Ripam'', that is, "between the [[Mersey]] and the [[River Ribble|Ribble]]",<ref>{{cite book|editor-last=Morris|editor-first=John |title=Domesday Book:Cheshire|year=1978|publisher=Phillimore & Co.|pages=R1:1–45}}</ref> and the manors of Septon ([[Sefton, Merseyside|Sefton]]), [[Thornton, Lancashire|Thornton]], [[Cuerden]], ten [[carucate]]s and a half of land, at the service of half a knight's fee. William Molyneux made Septon his chief seat and was succeeded by Vivian de Molyneux.<ref>[[Edward Kimber]] and Richard Johnson, ''The Baronetage of England: Containing A Genealogical and Historical Account of all the English Baronetts Now Existing'', Vol. I, Published 1771, Printed for G. Woodfall, and others pp. 59–60</ref><ref>[[Edward Kimber]], ''The Peerage of Ireland'', Vol. II, Published by Printed for J. Almon, London, 1768, pp. 26–31</ref><ref>Molyneux, Nellie Zada Rice (1904) [https://archive.org/details/historygenealogic00moly ''History, Genealogical and Biographical, of the Molyneux Families'']. Syracuse, N.Y., C. W. Bardeen. p. 9</ref>
By Nellie Zada Rice Molyneux</ref> They were initially to be granted the Manor of [[Little Crosby]], later [[Ince Blundell|Ince Blundell Hall]], which had been held by one Uctred until 1066. By 1212 it was owned by Richard de Molyneux of Sefton. The family later also owned most of the districts of [[Speke]] and [[Rainhill]]. They can be shown to have held a large moated manor and [[St Helen's Church, Sefton| St. Helen's Church]] at [[Sefton, Merseyside|Sefton]] without interruption from about 1100 to 1700 before they moved to [[Croxteth Hall]].

[[Image:St Helen's Church, Sefton.jpg|thumb|left|[[St Helen's Church, Sefton| St. Helen's Church]] was built as the Molyneux family chapel in [[Sefton]] [[Merseyside]] in 1170.]]
They also held the manor of [[Little Crosby]], later [[Ince Blundell Hall]], which had been held by one Uctred until 1066. By 1212 it was owned by Richard de Molyneux of Sefton before being turned over to the Blundell family. The Molyneuxs later owned most of the districts of [[Speke]] and [[Rainhill]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Moss, John |url=http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/history/old-families5.html |title=Old Historic Families of Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire 7 |publisher=Manchester2002-uk.com |date= |accessdate=2016-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413032014/http://www.manchester2002-uk.com/history/old-families5.html |archive-date=2016-04-13 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> The Royalist [[gentry]] family held a large moated manor, a corn mill on the [[River Alt]], and the [[advowson]] of [[St Helen's Church, Sefton|St. Helen's Church]] at Sefton without interruption from about 1100 to 1700. Their successors, by then Earls, moved to [[Croxteth Hall]].<ref>[http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/collections/historic-characterisation-project/Sefton-Part-6.pdf Sefton Historic Settlement Study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327021132/http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/collections/historic-characterisation-project/Sefton-Part-6.pdf |date=2014-03-27 }}. Merseyside Historic Characterisation Project, Museum of Liverpool (December 2011)</ref> Of the Sefton Molyneux family, crusaders Richard (d. 1290) and William Molyneux (d. 1320) are entombed within the church, and are its oldest inhabitants. Their effigies now lie beneath an arch moulding set into the wall in the Molyneux chapel, which is outside the 14th-century church walls.
Of the Sefton Molyneux family, Sir Richard (d.1290) and Sir William Molyneux (d.1320), knights of the Crusades, are entombed within the church, and are the its oldest inhabitants. Their effigies now lie beneath an arch moulding set into the wall in the Molyneux chapel, which is outside of the 14th-century church walls. By the [[14th century]] the Molyneux family had become so large that it split into three main branches; the [[Lancashire]] line, who became the [[Earl of Sefton|Earls of Sefton]], the [[Nottingham]] line, and the [[Calais]] line, from family still left over in Normandy.

In 1436 the office of Hereditary Steward of the [[Salford Hundred|Wapentake of Salfordshire]] was granted to Sir Robert Molyneux of Sefton. The office was held by Sir Robert's successors (descendants of his brother Richard), the Earls of Sefton until 1972. It was the Lancashire line of the family that became the [[Viscount Molyneux|Viscounts Molyneux]] and later the [[Earl of Sefton|Earls of Sefton]], while there were also branches seated at [[Nottingham]] and [[Calais]].
[[File:CroxtethHall2010.JPG|thumb|left|Croxteth Hall, Home of the Earls of Sefton branch of the Molyneux family.]]
The senior branch of the Sefton family had been staunch Catholics and Royalists (notably in the 17th and 18th centuries) through the worst times until Charles Molyneux, 8th Viscount Molyneux, was rewarded for converting to the Protestant faith. The relatively youthful second and third Viscounts fought on the Royalist side both politically and militarily. Although Liverpool Castle had been partly dismantled in 1660–1678, Caryll Molyneux, the 3rd Viscount, had used it for storing arms. During the reign of King [[James II of England|James II]], he was outlawed by Parliament for supporting the deposed king in 1688 to 1689. Control of the Castle finally passed out of Molyneux hands after Caryll had again been suspected of participation in a [[Jacobitism|Jacobite]] plot. William, the 7th Viscount, was a Jesuit, and there were in his time not less than seven Molyneux in the [[Society of Jesus]] alone.


== Variations ==
The senior branch of the Sefton family had been staunch Catholics and Royalists (notably in the 17th and 18th centuries) through the worst times until Charles Molyneux, 8th Viscount Molyneux, was rewarded for converting to the Protestant faith. The relatively youthful second and third Viscounts fought on the Royalist side both politically and militarily. Although Liverpool Castle had been partly dismantled in 1660-1678, Caryll Molyneux, the 3rd Viscount, had used it for storing arms. During the reign of King [[James II of England|James II]], he was outlawed by Parliament for supporting the deposed king in 1688 to 1689. Control of the Castle finally passed out of Molyneux hands after Caryll had again been suspected of participation in a [[Jacobitism|Jacobite]] plot. William, the 7th Viscount, was a Jesuit, and there were in his time not less than seven Molyneux in the [[Society of Jesus]] alone.
Variations of the surname include "Mullinax", "Mullenax", "Molinex", "Mullinix", "Mullenneix", "Mullennix", "Mullineaux", "Molinieux", "Molinaux", "Molineaux", "Mollineaux", "Molineux", "Mulleneux" among others.<ref>[http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~imfa/home.html International Molyneux Family Association].</ref>


== Notable people with the name ==
Over the centuries, several deviations of the name Molyneaux have emerged. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names as they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name include Molinex, Mullinix, Mullenneix, Mullineaux, Molinieux, Molinaux, Molineaux, Mollineaux, Molineux, and several others.<ref>[http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~imfa/home.html International Molyneux Family Association].</ref>. Laterly, many variations were due to misspellings in [[Immigration to the United States|American]] or other country's immigration services. Although Anglo-Norman surnames like Molyneaux are characterized by many spelling variations, the name Molyneux has prevailed with the modern trend towards standardization.
<ref>[http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~imfa/home.html International Molyneux Family Association].</ref>


==Variations==
===Molyneux===
===Molyneux===
* [[David Molyneux]] (born 1943), British parasitologist, professor and former director of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Notable persons with the surname Molyneux, include:
* [[Edward Molyneux]], fashion designer and artist, cousin of the [[Earl of Sefton]]
* [[Echlin Molyneux]] (c. 1800–1886), Irish barrister and professor of English Law, Dublin
* [[Edward Molyneux]] (1891–1974), British fashion designer working in Paris
* [[Emery Molyneux]], English Elizabethan maker of globes, mathematical instruments and ordnance
* [[Emery Molyneux]] (died 1598), English Elizabethan maker of globes, mathematical instruments and ordnance
* [[John Molyneux (VC)|John Molyneux]], British soldier
* [[John Molyneux (Trotskyist)|John Molyneux]], British socialist writer
* [[Irene Molyneux]] (1923–2019), English lawn bowls competitor
* [[Isabella Molyneux, Countess of Sefton]] (c. 1748–1819), wife of the 1st Earl of Sefton
* John Molyneux, of Melling, a constant confessor for the Catholic faith under [[Elizabeth I of England|Elizabeth I]] ; and his son and grandson, who both died in arms fighting for [[King Charles I of England|King Charles]] at Newbury
* [[Rebecca Molyneux, Senior Civil Servant]] (born 1988), official in His Majesty’s Treasury
* [[Maxine Molyneux]], sociologist and feminist
* [[James Molyneaux, Baron Molyneaux of Killead]] (1920–2015), Irish politician and leader of the UUP
* [[Paul Molyneux]], English cricketer
* [[Peter Molyneux]], British computer game designer
* [[John Molyneux (VC)]] (1890–1972), British soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross
* [[Robert Molyneux]], president of Georgetown University
* [[John Molyneux (disambiguation)]], several people
* [[Samuel Molyneux]], astronomer
* [[Joyce Molyneux]] (1931–2022), British chef
* [[Stefan Molyneux]], libertarian
* [[Maxine Molyneux]] (born 1948), British sociologist and feminist
* [[Paul Molyneux]] (1906–1980), English cricketer
* [[Stephen Molyneux]], British educational technologist, Apple Distinguished Educator and Apple Education Mentor.
* [[Peter Molyneux]] (born 1959), British computer game designer
* Father Thomas Molyneux, S.J., probably of Alt Grange, Ince Blundell, was a confessor of the Catholic faith at the time of [[Oates's Plot]], meeting death from ill-treatment in [[Morpeth, Northumberland|Morpeth]] gaol, 12 January 1681.
* [[Robert Molyneux]] (1738–1808), English-American priest, president of Georgetown University
* [[William Molyneux]], Irish natural philosopher
* [[Samuel Molyneux]] (1689–1728), British astronomer and Member of Parliament (son of William)
* Jonathan Molyneux, English turned American prisoner aboard the Loyal Margaret in 1726 who settled in Maryland and became the forefather to most American South and Midwest Molyneuxs and their different spelling variations, particularly "Mullinix". Although disputed by historians, his father was Thomas Molyneux, a disputed cadet line from the [[Earl of Sefton]].
* [[Stefan Molyneux]] (born 1966), Canadian right-wing activist
* [[Stephen Molyneux]] (born 1955), British educational technologist and Microsoft Professor Emeritus in Advanced Learning Technology
* [[Thomas Molyneux (statesman)]] (1531–1597), French-born statesman in Ireland
* [[Sir Thomas Molyneux, 1st Baronet]] (1661–1733), Irish physician, great-grandson of the earlier Sir Thomas, and brother of William
* [[Tim Molyneux]] (born 1969), American actor, singer, writer, director and producer
* [[Tom Molyneux]] (1890–1955), Canadian ice hockey player
* [[William Molyneux]] (1656–1698), Irish natural philosopher, and father of Samuel
* (''maternal'') [[Lorraine Bracco]]'s mother was an Englishwoman named Eileen Molyneux.


===Viscount Molyneux===
===Viscount Molyneux===
For ''Viscount Molyneux'' see [[Earl of Sefton]], and in particular
For ''Viscount Molyneux'' see [[Earl of Sefton]], and in particular:
* [[Richard Molyneux, 1st Viscount Molyneux]] (1594–1636)
* [[Richard Molyneux, 1st Viscount Molyneux]] (1594–1636)
* [[Richard Molyneux, 2nd Viscount Molyneux]] (1620–1654)
* [[Richard Molyneux, 2nd Viscount Molyneux]] (1620–1654)
* [[Caryll Molyneux, 3rd Viscount Molyneux]] (1624–1699)
* [[Caryll Molyneux, 3rd Viscount Molyneux]] (1624–1699)
* [[William Molyneux, 7th Viscount Molyneux]] (1685–1759)
* [[William Molyneux, 7th Viscount Molyneux]] (1685–1759)
* [[Charles William Molyneux, 1st Earl of Sefton]] (1748–1794) previously 8th Viscount Molyneux
* [[Charles William Molyneux, 1st Earl of Sefton]] (1748–1794), previously 8th Viscount Molyneux
* [[William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton]] (1772–1838)
* [[William Philip Molyneux, 2nd Earl of Sefton]] (1772–1838)
* [[Charles Molyneux, 3rd Earl of Sefton|Charles William Molyneux, 3rd Earl of Sefton]] (1796–1855)
* [[Charles Molyneux, 3rd Earl of Sefton|Charles William Molyneux, 3rd Earl of Sefton]] (1796–1855)
Line 59: Line 72:


===Molyneaux===
===Molyneaux===
Molyneaux is a rare Irish spelling variant.<ref>[http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Molyneaux Surnames Database:Molyneaux]</ref> People with this spelling variant include:
''Molyneaux'' is a rare Irish spelling variant.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Molyneaux |title=Surnames Database:Molyneaux |publisher=Surnamedb.com |date= |accessdate=2016-04-09}}</ref> People with this spelling variant include:
*[[James Molyneaux, Baron Molyneaux of Killead|James Molyneaux]] (born 1920), Baron Molyneaux of Killead, Northern Irish Unionist politician
*[[James Molyneaux, Baron Molyneaux of Killead|James Molyneaux]] (1920–2015), Baron Molyneaux of Killead, Ulster politician
*[[Jerry Molyneaux]] (born 1958), athlete who represented the British Virgin Islands at the 1984 Olympics
*[[Joseph W. Molyneaux]], American federal judge.
*[[Jerry Molyneaux (sports administrator)]] (1955–2016), Irish Gaelic games player and administrator
*[[Joseph W. Molyneaux]], American federal judge
*[[Lee Molyneaux]], English footballer
*[[Lee Molyneaux]], English footballer
*[[Vince Molyneaux]], American baseball player
*[[Vince Molyneaux]], American baseball player
*[[Paul Molyneaux]], American author


===Molineaux===
===Molineaux===
* [[Tom Molineaux]] (1784–1818), African-American bare-knuckle boxer
* [[William Molineux]], American, participant in the [[Boston Tea Party]]
* [[Othello Molineaux]] (born 1939), Trinidadian jazz steelpan player

===Molineux===
* [[Thomas Molineux (luthier)]] (c.1700–1757), Irish luthier
* [[Thomas Molineux (stenographer)]] (1759–1850), English stenographer
*[[William Molineux]] (1717–1774), American participant in the [[Boston Tea Party]]
* [[Sophie Molineux]] (born 1998), Australian cricketer


===Mollineux===
===Mollineux===
* [[Mary Mollineux]] (1651–1696), English Quaker poet
* Joshua Mollineux, 18th century painter, for [[James Stanley, 10th Earl of Derby]]
* [[Mary Mollineux]], 17th century poet


===Mullinix===
===Mullinix===
* [[Dabrye|Tadd Mullinix]], Ann Arbor, Michigan-based musician, descendent of Jonathan Molyneux.
* [[Dabrye|Tadd Mullinix]], American musician performing as Dabrye
* [[Henry M. Mullinnix]], an aviator and Admiral of the United States Navy during World War II.
* [[Henry M. Mullinnix]], aviator and Admiral of the United States Navy during World War II
* [[Siri Mullinix]], American Soccer Goal Keeper.
* [[Siri Mullinix]], American soccer goalkeeper


===Other===
===Mullinax===
* [[Trey Mullinax]], American professional golfer

===Others===
Other persons bearing the name Molyneux :
Other persons bearing the name Molyneux :
* [[Lord Henry Howard-Molyneux-Howard]], brother of 12th [[Duke of Norfolk]], served as Deputy [[Earl Marshal]] of England
* [[Lord Henry Howard-Molyneux-Howard]], brother of 12th Duke of Norfolk
* [[Molyneux Shuldham]], 1st Baron Shuldham (c. 1717 – 30 September 1798), naval officer and colonial governor of Newfoundland
* [[Molyneux Shuldham]], 1st Baron Shuldham (c. 1717 – 1798), British naval officer and colonial governor of Newfoundland

==References==
{{reflist}}


==See also==
==See also==
Line 90: Line 110:
*[[Molineux (disambiguation)]]
*[[Molineux (disambiguation)]]
*[[Moulineaux]]
*[[Moulineaux]]
*"[[My Kinsman, Major Molineux]]", short story by American author [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]]
{{surname}}<!-- It does not help to add disambig or hndis tags where the page only contains people who share a surname -->

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{surname|Molyneux}}


[[Category:Surnames of French origin]]
[[de:Molyneux]]
[[Category:Surnames of Norman origin]]
[[fr:Molyneux]]
[[Category:French-language surnames]]
[[Category:Toponymic surnames]]
[[Category:Occupational surnames]]

Latest revision as of 19:00, 28 December 2024

For other uses, see Molyneux (disambiguation).
Molyneux
Canting arms of Molyneux: Azure, a cross moline or
Language(s)Old French
Origin
Meaning"Moulineaux", derived from the French Moulin (meaning "mill of the waters")[1]
Region of originFrance
Other names
Variant form(s)Mullenax, Mullinax, Molinex, Mullinix, Mullenneix, Mullennix, Mullenix, Mullineaux, Molinieux, Molinaux, Molineaux, Mollineaux, Molineux, Mulling, Molyneaux, Mullinax, Mollinux, Millineux
Shields showing differing crests of branches of the Molyneux family

Molyneux (/ˈmɒlɪnjuː/; Old French: De Molines or De Moulins) is a French surname. The surname has been linked primarily to a large French family that settled in Lancashire, England. By the 14th century the Molyneux family had split into three main branches: the Lancashire line, who became the Earls of Sefton; the Nottingham line; and the Calais line, from those remaining in France. There was also a branch of the family who were Irish baronets.[2]

Etymology and history

[edit]

The ancestors of the Molyneaux family arrived in England in medieval times. The name "de Molines" or "de Moulins", Old French in origin, meaning "Mill", and eventually changed into "Molyneux". The early historical background of the family is sparse, coming from scattered genealogical, historical, and archaeological sources, composed of a mixture of legend, romanticized literary invention, and fact. Some historians deduce the de Moulins came from Moulineaux-sur-Seine, near Rouen, in Normandy.

St. Helen's Church was built as the Molyneux family chapel in Sefton Merseyside in 1170.

Other sources claim the family originally came from Moulins, France in the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Wherever their origin, Robert de Moulins' son, William, settled in Lancashire. He had two sons, William and Vivian de Moulins. William was granted large tracts of land in Lancashire, in what was then called inter Mersam et Ripam, that is, "between the Mersey and the Ribble",[3] and the manors of Septon (Sefton), Thornton, Cuerden, ten carucates and a half of land, at the service of half a knight's fee. William Molyneux made Septon his chief seat and was succeeded by Vivian de Molyneux.[4][5][6]

They also held the manor of Little Crosby, later Ince Blundell Hall, which had been held by one Uctred until 1066. By 1212 it was owned by Richard de Molyneux of Sefton before being turned over to the Blundell family. The Molyneuxs later owned most of the districts of Speke and Rainhill.[7] The Royalist gentry family held a large moated manor, a corn mill on the River Alt, and the advowson of St. Helen's Church at Sefton without interruption from about 1100 to 1700. Their successors, by then Earls, moved to Croxteth Hall.[8] Of the Sefton Molyneux family, crusaders Richard (d. 1290) and William Molyneux (d. 1320) are entombed within the church, and are its oldest inhabitants. Their effigies now lie beneath an arch moulding set into the wall in the Molyneux chapel, which is outside the 14th-century church walls.

In 1436 the office of Hereditary Steward of the Wapentake of Salfordshire was granted to Sir Robert Molyneux of Sefton. The office was held by Sir Robert's successors (descendants of his brother Richard), the Earls of Sefton until 1972. It was the Lancashire line of the family that became the Viscounts Molyneux and later the Earls of Sefton, while there were also branches seated at Nottingham and Calais.

Croxteth Hall, Home of the Earls of Sefton branch of the Molyneux family.

The senior branch of the Sefton family had been staunch Catholics and Royalists (notably in the 17th and 18th centuries) through the worst times until Charles Molyneux, 8th Viscount Molyneux, was rewarded for converting to the Protestant faith. The relatively youthful second and third Viscounts fought on the Royalist side both politically and militarily. Although Liverpool Castle had been partly dismantled in 1660–1678, Caryll Molyneux, the 3rd Viscount, had used it for storing arms. During the reign of King James II, he was outlawed by Parliament for supporting the deposed king in 1688 to 1689. Control of the Castle finally passed out of Molyneux hands after Caryll had again been suspected of participation in a Jacobite plot. William, the 7th Viscount, was a Jesuit, and there were in his time not less than seven Molyneux in the Society of Jesus alone.

Variations

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Variations of the surname include "Mullinax", "Mullenax", "Molinex", "Mullinix", "Mullenneix", "Mullennix", "Mullineaux", "Molinieux", "Molinaux", "Molineaux", "Mollineaux", "Molineux", "Mulleneux" among others.[9]

Notable people with the name

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Molyneux

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Viscount Molyneux

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For Viscount Molyneux see Earl of Sefton, and in particular:

Molyneaux

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Molyneaux is a rare Irish spelling variant.[10] People with this spelling variant include:

Molineaux

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Molineux

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Mollineux

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Mullinix

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Mullinax

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Others

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Other persons bearing the name Molyneux :

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "International Molyneux Family Association". Mx-world.org. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  2. ^ "International Molyneux Family Association". Mx-world.org. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  3. ^ Morris, John, ed. (1978). Domesday Book:Cheshire. Phillimore & Co. pp. R1:1–45.
  4. ^ Edward Kimber and Richard Johnson, The Baronetage of England: Containing A Genealogical and Historical Account of all the English Baronetts Now Existing, Vol. I, Published 1771, Printed for G. Woodfall, and others pp. 59–60
  5. ^ Edward Kimber, The Peerage of Ireland, Vol. II, Published by Printed for J. Almon, London, 1768, pp. 26–31
  6. ^ Molyneux, Nellie Zada Rice (1904) History, Genealogical and Biographical, of the Molyneux Families. Syracuse, N.Y., C. W. Bardeen. p. 9
  7. ^ Moss, John. "Old Historic Families of Manchester, Cheshire and Lancashire 7". Manchester2002-uk.com. Archived from the original on 2016-04-13. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
  8. ^ Sefton Historic Settlement Study Archived 2014-03-27 at the Wayback Machine. Merseyside Historic Characterisation Project, Museum of Liverpool (December 2011)
  9. ^ International Molyneux Family Association.
  10. ^ "Surnames Database:Molyneaux". Surnamedb.com. Retrieved 2016-04-09.
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