26. EARLY DE MOELES

Sampson  Tree

EARLY DE MOELES (26)

The de Moeles family derives its name from the village of Meulles in Lower Normandy. Meulles lies 15 miles south of Lisieux.[1]

House in Meulles 

There are many variations of the surname spelling: Moels, Meulles, Molis, Mules.

The Kingskerswell Moeles are probably descended from Roger de Meulles, who held manors in Devon including Lewtrenchard, Lashbrook, Dornaford, Exbourn. Highampton and Wadleston in 1086, at the time the Domesday Book was compiled.[3] It is reasonable to suppose that Roger came over at the time of the Conquest.

In 1241 these manors were held by John de Meolys, and then possibly by his son of the same name, followed the latter’s brother Roger. Henry Summerson, who wrote the entry on Nicholas de Moels in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, thinks that Nicholas was connected to this Devon family, though probably remotely. Oswald Reichel, who did considerable research into the Kingskerswell family a hundred years ago, thinks rather that John de Meolys may be Nicholas’s brother. Certainly the names John and Roger feature prominently in both family trees.

In addition, Reichel found that John and Roger de Meolys held mills under Nicholas or his descendents at Diptford and Glas, suggesting a likely kinship.

[1] Henry Summerson, “Moels, Meulles, Molis, Sir Nicholas de”, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, ed. H.C.G. Matthews and Brian Harrison, OUP
[2] Propertyshowrooms.com
[3] Oswald J. Reichel, “The Mules or Du Moulis Family of Kingskerswell and Diptford”, Devon Notes and Queries, vol.7, 1912-13.